it exists like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it exists like" is not standard in written English and may be considered awkward or unclear.
You might use it in informal contexts to compare the existence of one thing to another, but it is better to clarify the comparison. Example: "This concept exists like a shadow, always following but never fully tangible."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It exists, like everything else in what might otherwise have been a striking landscape, only as a subdivision of her own concerns.

The Guardian - Books

Considering the failed PCR attempts, the homologous sequence may not exist in rabbit possibly due to chromosomal region loss, or even if it exists, like the rat sequence, the sequence may be quite dissimilar to functional GBGT1 gene sequences.

Nature

But since the car can't tell the difference it exists, like Daily Mail readers, in a constant froth of panic over nothing; and I have got too used to ignoring it.

The Guardian - Opinion

A "zero-day exploit" occurs when hackers or governments strike by using the flaw before anyone else knows it exists, like a burglar who finds, after months of probing, that there is a previously undiscovered way to break into a house without sounding an alarm.

The New York Times

Where it exists, like in staffing, container planning or berth scheduling, it provides more of a planning aid.

TechCrunch

It exists like a parallel universe in which the Iraq war is going swimmingly and the economy is fine.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It existed, like paintings and sculptures, still separated from the rest of the world within the confines of art, posing a question to art about whether to let the rest of the world in.

The New York Times - Arts

It exists whether we like it or not, like our eye color or the shape of our hands.

Huffington Post

It just exists like an old gramophone record".

The Guardian

Pinning a fandom litmus test on whether one likes a clearly troubled film just because it exists seems like a bad idea and does a disservice to the diversity of opinion within fandoms.

The Washington Post

I admit LSS is a grayish goo of humanity, but it exists just like microbes in pond water.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For formal writing, consider alternatives such as "it is similar to" or "it functions like" for enhanced clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "it exists like" excessively in academic or professional writing. Over-reliance can make writing seem less sophisticated. Instead, diversify comparative language with more formal alternatives such as "it resembles" or "it is akin to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it exists like" primarily functions as a comparative element within a sentence. It serves to draw parallels between the mode of existence of a subject and another, often more tangible, entity. As Ludwig AI points out, this usage is most effective when the comparison clarifies the subject's nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it exists like" serves to draw a comparison between the way something exists and another concept. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically acceptable, though potentially informal, emphasizing that clarity is key when making such comparisons. While the phrase appears across various contexts, as shown in the Ludwig examples, it is most common in news and media. For formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "it is similar to" or "it functions like" to enhance precision and sophistication. It is best used to make abstract concepts more relatable through tangible comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's similar to

A direct and straightforward way to express similarity.

it's akin to

This phrase suggests a similarity or resemblance between two things.

it's comparable to

This indicates that something can be compared to something else, often highlighting shared characteristics.

it resembles

Implies a visual or superficial similarity.

it's analogous to

Highlights a similarity based on a logical or functional relationship.

it mirrors

Suggests a close or exact resemblance, often implying a reflection.

it's in the same vein as

This suggests a similarity in style, approach, or theme.

it parallels

Indicates that something runs alongside or corresponds to something else.

it functions as

This emphasizes the role or purpose of something.

it operates like

Focuses on how something works or behaves.

FAQs

What does "it exists like" mean?

The phrase "it exists like" is used to draw a comparison between the existence of something and another concept or entity. It implies that the way something exists is similar to the way something else exists or functions.

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

You can use alternatives such as "it is similar to", "it functions like", or "it resembles" depending on the context.

Is "it exists like" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "it exists like" is not the most formal or precise way to express a comparison. It's generally acceptable in informal contexts, but more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or professional writing.

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

You can use "it exists like" to compare something abstract or intangible to something more concrete or familiar. For example: "The feeling of anxiety it exists like a constant hum in the background."