had like that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had like that" is not correct and usable in written English.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of words that lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "I had like that moment when everything just clicked."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It appeared that the quality of banks' risk management had, like that of avionics, converged on a high standard, allowing banks to fly higher, more efficiently and more safely.

The Economist

I can't remember too many shots he's had like that hitting the target, so well done to him.

BBC

This was the third such reaction I'd had like that in the last week.

Huffington Post

That's the only experience that we ever had like that.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Emily had liked that moment.

The New Yorker

Irving would have liked that".

The New York Times

"My mother would have liked that".

The New York Times

Eric would have liked that line.

The New Yorker

Paul had liked that one too much.

The New Yorker

Holbrooke would have liked that.

The New York Times

"I've liked that," Tice said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "had like that" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives such as "had an experience like that" or "experienced something similar".

Common error

Avoid using "had like that" in professional contexts, as it can make your writing seem unprofessional. Use more formal language such as "experienced something similar" or "encountered a comparable situation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had like that" functions as an informal way to reference a previously mentioned or understood situation or experience. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "had like that" might be used in informal conversation to reference a similar experience, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI highlights the phrase's lack of clarity and advises using more precise alternatives such as "had an experience like that" or "experienced something similar". The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources, but its infrequent occurrence suggests that more grammatically sound options are preferable for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had an experience like that

Rephrases the sentence to clearly indicate a past experience similar to a described one.

had a moment like that

Replaces "experience" with "moment" to narrow the scope to a specific point in time.

had a similar experience

Replaces "like that" with a more specific description of having a comparable experience.

faced a situation like that

Highlights the act of confronting a comparable scenario.

experienced something similar

Uses "experienced" to convey the action, with "similar" replacing "like that" to describe the experience.

dealt with something similar

Focuses on handling or managing a situation that is comparable.

had one like that

Shortens the phrase, assuming the "that" refers to something previously mentioned.

encountered something of that nature

Substitutes the informal "like that" with a more formal expression.

felt that way

Focuses on the feeling or sentiment associated with a situation, rather than the specific experience.

had a case like that

Replaces "experience" with "case" and implies a situation needed solving.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct way to say "had like that"?

Instead of "had like that", you can use phrases such as "had an experience like that" or "experienced something similar", which are more grammatically sound.

Is "had like that" appropriate in formal writing?

No, "had like that" is generally not appropriate for formal writing. It's better to use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives like "had a similar experience".

What does "had like that" generally imply?

"Had like that" typically implies that someone experienced something similar to a situation that has already been described, although it's not grammatically precise. Clearer alternatives include "encountered something of that nature".

What can I use instead of "had like that" to sound more professional?

To sound more professional, replace "had like that" with phrases like "dealt with something similar" or "faced a situation like that", which are more appropriate for formal communication.