are akin to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are akin to" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to compare or describe something that is similar to another thing. Example: The concept of reincarnation is akin to the belief in an afterlife, where the soul is reborn into a new body.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They are akin to a political appendix.

The New York Times

Such devices are akin to sexy underwear.

The New York Times

Ticket prices are akin to opera's.

The New York Times - Arts

Ultimately the viewer accepts that they are akin to Surrealism.

The New York Times

The results are akin to Andrew Bird and Joanna Newsom.

The New York Times - Arts

The security controls are akin to crossing an international border.

The New York Times

The results are akin to Thaler's "mental account" model for personal financial behavior.

Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes

Called sponsored placements, they are akin to foster care for adults.

The Washington Post

Achor: I've been looking at five habits that are akin to brushing your teeth.

Independent

Google's lawyers have responded by arguing that APIs are akin to words in a poem.

The Economist

In this neighborhood, thoughts of Prego or Ragú are akin to heresy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are akin to" when you want to draw a comparison that suggests a close resemblance, but not necessarily identity, between two things. It's more formal than simply saying "are like".

Common error

Avoid using "are akin to" when the relationship between two concepts is tenuous or weak. Stick to phrases like "are related to" or "are associated with" if the connection is not strong.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are akin to" functions as a comparative expression, used to draw parallels or similarities between two distinct subjects. It highlights a resemblance that is more than superficial, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are akin to" is a versatile expression used to draw comparisons between subjects, implying a strong resemblance or similarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, "are akin to" serves to clarify and relate complex concepts to more familiar ones. While it is essential to ensure the comparison is relevant and not tenuous, using "are akin to" effectively enhances understanding and provides a sophisticated tone to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are similar to

Emphasizes a general resemblance or likeness.

are comparable to

Highlights aspects that can be directly compared.

are analogous to

Suggests a similarity in some respects, often used in technical contexts.

are like

A more informal way to express similarity.

resemble

Indicates a visual or superficial similarity.

are related to

Points to a connection or association, not necessarily identical.

are connected to

Emphasizes an association or link between two things.

are of the same nature as

Highlights an identical essence or quality.

are in the same category as

Implies belonging to the same group or classification.

are allied to

Suggests a partnership or alliance due to similarities.

FAQs

How can I use "are akin to" in a sentence?

Use "are akin to" to show a similarity between two things. For example, "The challenges they faced "are akin to" those experienced by early pioneers".

What's the difference between "are akin to" and "are similar to"?

"Are akin to" implies a closer, more inherent resemblance than "are similar to". "Are similar to" suggests a general likeness, while "are akin to" suggests a deeper connection.

What can I say instead of "are akin to"?

You can use alternatives like "are comparable to", "are analogous to", or "are like" depending on the context.

Is "are akin to" formal or informal?

"Are akin to" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "are like". It is suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts.