firms like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "firms like" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to companies or businesses that are similar to others mentioned in the context. Example: "Firms like Apple and Google are leading the way in technology innovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is no primary regulator of MF Global, or brokerage firms like it.

The New York Times

Site-design firms like Organic and Razorfish razf position themselves this way, as do the giant consultancy and integration firms like International Business Machines ibm, Andersen Consulting and A.T. Kearney.

Forbes

They founded firms like Datek.

The New York Times

"Firms like Chipotle are succeeding".

The New York Times

White-shoe firms like Goldman Sachs underwrote them.

The New Yorker

Firms like these expect innovators to experiment often and freely.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So have financial firms like Goldman Sachs and BlackRock.

University of California, Berkeley

This is changing in part because of firms like Monashees.

The New York Times

Software firms like Infosys pioneered employee stock-ownership plans.

The Economist

Other firms, like AllianceBernstein, have given employees access to LinkedIn.

The New York Times

Financial firms like Goldman Sachs also maintain presences on Twitter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "firms like", ensure the examples you provide are well-known and representative of the type of firm you are discussing. This provides clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "firms like" followed by examples that are too diverse or unrelated, as this can confuse the reader and weaken your point. Ensure the firms share key characteristics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "firms like" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces examples to illustrate a point. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "firms like" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to introduce examples of companies or businesses that share similar traits. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various platforms like news, academia, and business, providing clarity and context to discussions. When employing this phrase, ensure that the examples used are relevant and well-known to effectively communicate the intended message. Alternatives such as "companies such as" or "businesses similar to" can be used for slight variations in formality. Despite its common usage, remember to avoid overgeneralization by using diverse and unrelated firms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

companies such as

Replaces "firms" with "companies", a slightly more general term, maintaining the sense of similarity.

businesses similar to

Substitutes both "firms" and "like" with synonyms, providing a more formal alternative.

corporations like

Specifically refers to incorporated businesses, narrowing the scope.

organizations akin to

Offers a more formal and less common synonym for "firms", suitable for academic or technical writing.

enterprises such as

Uses "enterprises" as a synonym for "firms", implying a more significant or complex business.

establishments similar to

A more formal alternative, suitable for official documents or business reports.

agencies such as

Replaces "firms" with "agencies", implying a focus on service-oriented or government-related entities.

institutions such as

Broader term than "firms", including non-profits and academic entities.

outfits like

An informal synonym for "firms", suitable for casual conversation or less formal writing.

groups similar to

A general term that can apply to various types of organizations, not just businesses.

FAQs

How can I use "firms like" in a sentence?

Use "firms like" to introduce examples of companies that share similar characteristics or operate within the same industry. For instance, "The sector includes "firms like" Apple and Google."

What are some alternatives to "firms like"?

Alternatives include "companies such as", "businesses similar to", or "organizations akin to", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to use "firms such as" instead of "firms like"?

Both "firms like" and "firms such as" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference or the specific tone you wish to convey. "Firms such as" might be considered slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "firms like" and "including" when providing examples?

"Firms like" suggests a resemblance between the listed firms and a broader category, while "including" simply introduces examples without necessarily implying similarity. For instance, "We work with firms like Deloitte and Accenture" highlights their prominence, whereas "We work with several firms, including Deloitte and Accenture" just lists them.