Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

be like from a

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be like from a" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a comparison or similarity, but it lacks proper structure and clarity. Example: "He wanted to be like from a movie, but it didn't quite work out."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

These are just a few of the apps announced or previewed so far, and WatchAware has over 60 in total to check out, so be sure to head over there and try out some others if you're after a deeper look at what Apple Watch will be like from a software perspective.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Phenomenology is a philosophical method for uncovering the structure of lived experience by describing what it is like from a first person perspective.

News & Media

The New York Times

I know what it's like from a footballer's perspective.

News & Media

BBC

In this short review I've tried to give you an idea of what an MD/PhD program is like from a student's perspective.

Science & Research

Science Magazine

Our airports are like from a third world country.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

And this: "Our airports are like from a third-world country".

News & Media

Huffington Post

I was actually wondering what it was like from a personal view.

Formal & Business

Unicef

It's like ordering from an a la carte menu.

News & Media

TechCrunch

"It was like going from a Volkswagen to a Maserati," Voudouris has been telling everyone.

It is like moving from a Silicon Valley to a real valley".

News & Media

The New York Times

Friends, coming out of jet lag is like waking from a coma with a start.

News & Media

Huffington Post
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express a comparison, use grammatically correct alternatives such as "resembles something from" or "is similar to something from" to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

Do not directly translate from idiomatic expressions or attempt to create new comparative structures using "be like from a". Always opt for established grammatical forms to maintain professional and clear communication.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be like from a" typically attempts to draw a comparison or express similarity, but it is grammatically flawed. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is not correct. Instead, standard English uses structures such as "resembles" or "is similar to".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science & Research

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be like from a" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI also indicates, it doesn't follow standard English grammar. While some examples exist in various sources, it's crucial to opt for correct alternatives like "resembles something from" or "is similar to something from" to ensure clarity and maintain professionalism. Although this phrase has been used across various contexts like news, business and science, it is best to choose a more appropriate and grammatically sound option.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct way to say something is similar to something else?

Instead of using ungrammatical phrases, you can use phrases like "resemble something from" or "be similar to something from" to express similarity.

How can I express that something reminds me of a particular source?

To convey that something evokes memories or associations with a specific origin, use phrases like "be reminiscent of something from".

What are some professional alternatives to "be like from a"?

In formal writing, use alternatives such as "have the qualities of something from" or "be characteristic of something from".

Is "be like from a" considered standard English?

No, "be like from a" is not considered standard English. Use grammatically correct alternatives such as "resemble something from" to ensure clear communication.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: