largely like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "largely like" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is similar to another thing to a significant extent, but not entirely the same. Example: "The new software is largely like the previous version, with a few enhancements and updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Singapore, in contrast, is a trans-shipment port, where containers arrive to be transferred to other vessels to continue their onward voyage.Singapore remains the largest trans-shipment port in the world, and that is unlikely to be challenged by the rise of the Chinese ports, or even Dawei, which will operate largely like Shanghai.

The Economist

Once you've caught Ditto, it acts largely like you'd expect.

The Guardian - Tech

The faithful largely like Ed Miliband, but they worry about him and his dismal personal poll ratings.

The Guardian - Opinion

As thrilled as Azarenka was to reach her first semifinal in Paris, the first 10 days of the tournament have felt largely like a competition for who gets to be cannon fodder for Williams in Saturday's final.

The New York Times - Sports

It was interesting to hear the more traditional stuff but it always felt a bit unrewarding to conclude, "I listened to this country record and it sounds largely like you would expect a country record to sound".

The Guardian - Music

The blogosphere still feels largely like a boundless op-ed page, with a bewildering array of passionate opinions on every subject.But there's a growing effort to use it to figure out how to attack problems.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The frustration in the auditorium was palpable, as the largely like-minded government officials, scientists, public health experts and environmental advocates bemoaned the political paralysis that had blocked any major action on what they considered the most urgent problem facing the planet.

The New York Times

The choices are as revealing of the new president as they are of his appointees — and suggest that, from its first days, an Obama White House will brim with big personalities and far more spirited debate than occurred among the largely like-minded advisers who populated President Bush's first term.

The New York Times

Even I, who has a public page, find the bulk of my Facebook circle to be largely of like-mind.

Huffington Post

GnRH agonists showed similar efficacy to chemotherapy (largely CMF-like) in trials that enrolled 3,184 women.

Breast Cancer Research

All promoters required arabinose in order to detect any reporter expression and responded in a largely step-like manner.

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "largely like", ensure that the context clarifies the aspects of similarity and difference. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides a more precise understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "largely like" when the items being compared have significant differences. Use qualifiers like "somewhat like" or "partially like" to more accurately reflect the relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largely like" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective, indicating the extent to which something resembles something else. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

12.5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12.5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "largely like" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something shares significant similarities with something else without being identical. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, adding a degree of nuance to comparisons. It appears frequently in news, science, and wiki contexts, making it suitable for a variety of writing styles. While the phrase is generally acceptable, being mindful of the degree of similarity and choosing more precise synonyms when necessary can further enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mostly similar to

Indicates a greater degree of similarity than "largely like", suggesting the main features are alike.

primarily akin to

Highlights the fundamental similarity, focusing on the core characteristics.

generally comparable to

Focuses on a broad comparison, indicating overall similarities.

largely analogous to

Emphasizes a parallel or correspondence in function or appearance.

substantially the same as

Indicates significant overlap, almost to the point of being identical in key aspects.

closely resembles

Highlights visual or superficial similarities.

mainly approximates

Suggests an estimation or rough similarity.

roughly equivalent to

Indicates a similarity in value or effect, rather than exact replication.

practically identical to

Stresses that, in practice, the two things are hard to distinguish.

to a great extent like

More verbose than "largely like", emphasizing the degree of similarity.

FAQs

How can I use "largely like" in a sentence?

Use "largely like" to indicate that something shares significant similarities with something else but isn't identical. For example, "The new policy is "largely like" the old one, but with a few key modifications."

What are some alternatives to "largely like"?

You can use alternatives such as "mostly similar to", "primarily akin to", or "generally comparable to" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "largely like" formal or informal?

"Largely like" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might opt for a more precise synonym to ensure clarity.

What's the difference between ""largely like"" and "exactly like"?

"Largely like" indicates substantial similarities, whereas "exactly like" implies perfect or complete resemblance. The former allows for differences, while the latter does not.