kind of like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'kind of like' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is similar to something else. For example: "The taste of pineapple is kind of like mango, but a bit sweeter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kind of like preschool.

The New York Times - Books

Body kind of like yours.

The New York Times

"Kind of like travel agents".

The New York Times - Health

We're kind of like boats.

The New York Times

It's kind of like labor pains.

The New York Times

"He's kind of like Scott Niedermayer.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is kind of like sex".

The New York Times

It's kind of like negative ads.

The New York Times

You're kind of like Spider-Man.

The New York Times

It was kind of like... floating.

The New York Times

It was kind of like speed dating.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of like" to soften comparisons, especially when you don't want to make a strong or precise statement. It's useful for expressing subjective opinions or impressions.

Common error

Avoid "kind of like" in formal writing or presentations. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives such as "similar to" or "comparable to" to maintain a credible tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of like" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to express a degree of similarity or approximation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates that something shares qualities with something else. It softens the comparison, making it less direct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kind of like" is a common adverbial phrase used to express similarity or approximation in an informal manner. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, highlighting its role in softening comparisons. While frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources, it's less common in formal or academic writing. For more formal contexts, alternatives such as "similar to" or "comparable to" are more appropriate. This phrase is suitable for casual conversation and informal writing where a precise comparison isn't necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sort of like

Similar in meaning, but implies a slightly weaker resemblance than "kind of like".

much like

Emphasizes a strong degree of similarity.

similar to

A more direct and slightly more formal way of indicating resemblance.

not unlike

A slightly more emphatic way of stating similarity, suggesting a surprising resemblance.

reminiscent of

Implies that something evokes memories of something else.

akin to

A more formal alternative, suggesting a close relationship or similarity.

comparable to

Highlights the ability to compare two things, often implying similar value or quality.

in the same vein as

Suggests that something follows a similar style or approach.

bears a resemblance to

Focuses on the visual or superficial similarities.

virtually the same as

Indicates very high similarity, almost to the point of being identical.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of like" in a sentence?

Use "kind of like" to indicate a loose similarity or approximation. For example, "This new song is "kind of like" their older stuff, but with a modern twist."

What can I say instead of "kind of like"?

You can use alternatives like "similar to", "sort of like", or "reminiscent of" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "kind of like" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "kind of like" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, it's better to use phrases like "similar to" or "comparable to".

What's the difference between "kind of like" and "similar to"?

"Kind of like" implies a looser, less precise comparison, whereas "similar to" suggests a more direct and often more significant resemblance.