he was like

USAGE SUMMARY

"He was like" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to suggest that something or someone is similar in some way to something or someone else. Example: "At first glance, I thought he was a doctor, but then he started talking about fixing cars, and I was like, 'huh?'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And he was, like, 24!

The New York Times

And he was like, "Just wait".

The New York Times

He was like, "You'll be fine.

Independent

He was, like, 60.

Huffington Post

"He was like, 'Anytime.' ".

The New York Times

He was like that.

The New Yorker

"He was like Superman".

The New York Times - Sports

"He was like: 'You?

The New York Times - Magazine

He was like God.

The New York Times

He was like a wizard".

The New York Times - Sports

He was, like, so introverted.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was like" to introduce reported speech in informal conversations or narratives. It's particularly effective for conveying tone and mannerisms.

Common error

Avoid using "he was like" in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives such as "he stated", "he mentioned", or "he resembled".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was like" primarily functions as an introduction to reported speech or internal monologue, often used in informal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing its prevalence in conversational narratives where the speaker is relaying someone's words or thoughts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was like" is a grammatically sound phrase predominantly used in informal settings to introduce reported speech or describe someone's demeanor. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides ample examples from sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker, highlighting its commonality in news and media. While appropriate for casual conversations and narratives, writers should opt for more formal alternatives such as "he stated" or "he mentioned" in professional or academic contexts to maintain a polished and precise tone. Avoid overuse in formal writing and focus on capturing the essence of the conversation when using it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he resembled

Focuses on physical similarity.

he behaved similarly to

Directly compares the behavior to someone else.

he acted as if he were

Highlights the manner of acting or behaving.

he seemed to be

Emphasizes the appearance or impression given.

he sounded as though

Relates specifically to how someone spoke.

he gave the impression of being

Focuses on the perceived character or state.

he appeared as

Focuses on visual likeness or outward presentation.

he was akin to

Uses a more formal term for similarity.

he said something to the effect of

Indicates indirect reported speech, conveying the gist of what was said.

he quoted

Indicates direct reported speech, removing the 'like' filler.

FAQs

How can I use "he was like" in a sentence?

Use "he was like" to introduce dialogue or describe someone's behavior in an informal, conversational context. For example: "I asked him about the project, and "he was like", 'I'll get to it eventually'."

What's a more formal way to say "he was like"?

In formal writing, replace "he was like" with phrases such as "he stated", "he mentioned", or "he remarked". These alternatives provide a more professional tone.

Is it grammatically correct to use "he was like"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, but primarily in informal speech and writing. While common in conversation, it may not be suitable for formal contexts.

What's the difference between "he was like" and "he resembled"?

"He was like" is typically used to introduce a quote or describe a mannerism, while "he resembled" is used to describe a physical similarity. For example, "He was like, 'I'm not sure,'" versus "He resembled his father."