it disappears like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it disappears like" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare the suddenness or invisibility of something vanishing to another object or phenomenon. Example: "The magician waved his hand, and just like that, it disappears like smoke in the wind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"If you lose control of the plasma, it doesn't just sit there, it disappears like that," says Campbell, clicking his fingers.

The Guardian

Try to pin down this "I," to catch or border it, and it disappears like mist or a rainbow.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Then it disappeared like exhaust.

The New York Times

"There's obviously a seasonality with this thing; otherwise we wouldn't see it disappearing like this quite so effectively," said Dr. Robert Webster, a virologist at St . Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis.

The New York Times

When you change your sex, you get tremendous pressure to bury your past, to let it disappear like the 'M' that used to be on your driver's license.

Huffington Post

After the photo is viewed, it disappears forever, like a casual exchange on the street.

The New York Times

"It's short-lived and it disappears, exactly like a drug high," says Russell Belk, a professor of marketing at the University of Utah who has interviewed 200 collectors.

Forbes

Film is flickery, so kinetic that it disappears in motion, like an aeroplane propeller.

The Guardian - Books

For pudding, we share a chocolate tortino with vanilla sauce and almond crumble which, judging from the speed with which it disappears, we all like a good deal.

Independent

"The thing about contraception is, there is no ideal method for everyone, and when someone finds something that works, and then it disappears, it's like having your insurance change and having to find a new doctor".

The New York Times

But if Mr. Camp wants to raise some revenue to pay for tax changes elsewhere, like a reduction in the corporate tax or a shift to a territorial tax system, he will have to follow the money to where it disappears — through loopholes like carried interest and the abuse of the publicly traded partnership rules.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it disappears like" to create a vivid comparison, helping your reader visualize the speed or manner of something vanishing. For instance, "Hopes for a peaceful resolution disappeared like a mirage in the desert."

Common error

While effective in descriptive writing, avoid using "it disappears like" in formal reports or academic papers where a more precise and less figurative expression might be more suitable. Instead, opt for phrases like "it was eliminated" or "it ceased to exist."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it disappears like" functions primarily as a descriptive comparison, indicating how something vanishes, often swiftly or completely. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this construction serves to draw parallels between the act of disappearing and another phenomenon for emphasis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it disappears like" serves as a descriptive phrase to vividly illustrate how something vanishes. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that its grammatical structure is correct, although its usage is relatively rare. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it conveys suddenness or completeness, adding an evocative touch to descriptions. For more formal writing, consider alternatives such as "it vanishes" or "it dissipates". While generally acceptable, be mindful of the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the intended tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it vanishes as

Replaces "disappears" with "vanishes", emphasizing a sudden cessation of visibility.

it fades like

Substitutes "disappears" with "fades", indicating a gradual loss of visibility.

it dissipates like

Uses "dissipates" instead of "disappears", suggesting a scattering or breaking up while vanishing.

it melts away like

Employs "melts away" to convey a smooth and complete disappearance.

it dematerializes like

Replaces "disappears" with "dematerializes", suggesting something becomes immaterial.

it evaporates like

Uses "evaporates" to show something changes to vapor and vanishes.

it is gone like

This variation replaces the action of disappearing with a state of being gone, emphasizing the result.

it slips away like

Replaces "disappears" with "slips away", suggesting a subtle and unnoticeable disappearance.

it is erased like

Implies a forceful and complete removal, like something being wiped away.

it dissolves like

Uses "dissolves" to indicate a disappearance through integration or absorption.

FAQs

How can I use "it disappears like" in a sentence?

You can use "it disappears like" to describe the swift or complete vanishing of something by comparing it to a well-known phenomenon. For example, "The opportunity it disappears like a fleeting dream".

What can I say instead of "it disappears like"?

You can use alternatives like "it vanishes as", "it fades like", or "it dissipates like" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "it disappears like" or "it disappeared like"?

Both "it disappears like" and "it disappeared like" are grammatically correct, but they convey different tenses. "It disappears like" describes a habitual or general occurrence, while "it disappeared like" refers to a specific past event.

Is "it disappears like" suitable for formal writing?

While "it disappears like" is acceptable in many contexts, it may be too informal for academic or professional writing. In those settings, consider using more precise alternatives such as "it was eliminated" or "it ceased to exist".