it likes

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence fragment "it likes" is not correct and usable in written English.
To make the sentence grammar correct, you must add a subject to the sentence, such as "She likes..." or "He likes..." For example, "He likes the taste of the cake."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It likes to toot its own horn.

Huffington Post

It likes to source most of its water from rain.

WikiHow

"It likes parades".

The New Yorker

It likes you.

The New Yorker

It likes Mr Brown's manners.

The Economist

It likes trees, I think, it likes summer.

The New York Times

"It likes to survive".

The New York Times - Health

It likes to simplify and declutter.

Harvard University

It likes coming to the gym, it likes preparing.

The New York Times - Sports

It likes to be tasted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The company can earn whatever it likes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure the subject is explicitly stated (e.g., "The dog likes...") to avoid grammatical errors. Reword the sentence for clarity and correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "it likes" without a clear subject. This omission can lead to confusion and grammatical errors. Always specify what "it" refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it likes" functions as an incomplete clause. It requires a subject to form a grammatically correct sentence. Ludwig AI highlights that a subject must be added to make the phrase usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

42%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it likes" is grammatically incomplete and requires a subject to form a correct sentence. While Ludwig provides many examples of its usage across different contexts like News & Media and Academia, the Ludwig AI underlines that it’s essential to add a subject to make the phrase grammatically sound. Consider using alternatives like "it enjoys" or "it appreciates" for clarity. Ensure to avoid omitting the subject in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it enjoys

Replaces "likes" with a synonym implying pleasure or satisfaction.

it appreciates

Suggests a sense of value or gratitude, rather than simple liking.

it favors

Implies a preference or tendency toward something.

it is fond of

Expresses affection or liking in a slightly more formal manner.

it relishes

Indicates a strong enjoyment or appreciation.

it prefers

Indicates a choice or higher value placed on something.

it inclines to

Shows a tendency or leaning toward something.

it is keen on

Signals strong interest and enthusiasm.

it takes pleasure in

A more descriptive way to express that something gives enjoyment.

it has a penchant for

Indicates a particular liking or fondness, often implying a unique taste.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "it likes" in a sentence?

To correct "it likes", add a subject to clarify what "it" refers to. For example, instead of "it likes", use "the dog likes" or "my car likes".

What's a more formal way to say "it likes"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "it appreciates" or "it favors". These options provide a more sophisticated way to express preference.

Is it ever correct to use "it likes"?

While commonly used, "it likes" is grammatically incomplete. It's always best to include a subject for clarity and correctness.

What can I say instead of "it likes" to show enthusiasm?

To show enthusiasm, you might say "it relishes" or "it is keen on", depending on the context. These alternatives express a stronger degree of liking.