closest like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closest like" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and does not convey a specific meaning without additional context. Example: "In terms of flavor, the closest like I can think of is a ripe peach."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Those that come closest, like Turkey and Malaysia, are the ones that have often brutally enforced secularism.

The New York Times - Books

Two of the closest, like the tower he was standing on here, were built by Goldwind USA, where Mr. Rowland is vice president for engineering.

The New York Times

Although no cities succeeded in doing this, those that got closest, like St . Louis carried out early interventions before the first peak, and then reinstituted them when transmission rates began to rise again.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Jackson Martinez, the closest like-for-like Falcao replacement, has been in the goals with Porto.

BBC

Google's Chromecast, one of the closest like-for-like competitors, has local resale options world in some parts of the world but, for many, this new Basic Edition might be the most attractive dongle — even when it isn't tied to Amazon's full quota of Prime Video services.

TechCrunch

"Up close like this".

The New Yorker

Grand Adventure (20-1) clikes like a freight train.

The New York Times

The episode is closed, like a trapdoor.

The New Yorker

"Really close, like almost there".

The New Yorker

And we're so close, like sisters.

The New York Times - Sports

Their hands closed like sea anemones.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "most similar to" or "closest to" to ensure effective communication.

Common error

The phrase "closest like" is often redundant; replace it with a single adjective or adverb that accurately describes the similarity you're trying to convey, avoiding unnecessary words.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closest like" functions as an attempt to express similarity or approximation. However, as Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is grammatically questionable. It intends to modify a noun by indicating the highest degree of resemblance but does so in a non-standard way.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "closest like" is an attempt to convey similarity, but it is grammatically unsound and not recommended for use in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this with its assessment. Although some examples appear in news and media, as confirmed by Ludwig, it's best to replace it with clearer alternatives such as "most similar to", "nearest to", or "most akin to". Doing so will ensure your writing is both accurate and easily understood. Stick to established grammatical structures to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most similar to

This alternative directly expresses the idea of greatest similarity.

nearest to

Focuses on proximity or closeness in characteristics or attributes.

most analogous to

Highlights the similarity in terms of analogy or comparison.

most akin to

Emphasizes a natural resemblance or affinity.

closely resembles

Highlights the strong similarity in appearance or nature.

bears the closest resemblance to

A formal way of stating the greatest similarity in appearance.

most nearly like

Expresses the idea of being very close to being like something.

most proximate to

Focuses on being the nearest in terms of characteristics or properties.

is most comparable to

Suggests a strong comparison can be made due to similarity.

approximates most closely to

Focuses on the act of getting close to being like something else.

FAQs

What phrases can I use instead of "closest like"?

Consider using alternatives such as "most similar to", "nearest to", or "most akin to" for better clarity.

Is "closest like" grammatically correct?

No, "closest like" isn't considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases that clearly indicate similarity, such as "most comparable to".

How can I use "closest like" in a sentence correctly?

While the phrase is not standard, you might rephrase to say "the closest thing like X is Y" or, more accurately, "the thing most similar to X is Y". Consider restructuring for improved clarity.

What’s the difference between "closest like" and "most similar to"?

"Closest like" is not a standard phrase, while "most similar to" is a grammatically correct and widely accepted way to express a high degree of resemblance.