like as many

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "like as many" is not correct in standard written English.
It appears to be a conflation of "like" and "as many," which can lead to confusion. Example: "Like as many people as possible, we should attend the event."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

All the same, I would like as many Americans as possible to read this book.

The New York Times - Books

"I would like as many people as possible to try this out," he said this month.

The New York Times - Sports

"We would like as many people, if not everyone, to leave encouraged to take action," he said.

The New York Times - Science

I think they would like as many licenses and permits as possible granted during the Bush administration.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is also possible they will stay in transition for far longer than they would like, as many of us have.

The New York Times - Health

Wade Arnott said his brother told him he would like as many shots at the Cup as he can get — maybe even with the Devils.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

The problem is, the level design is not quite as open and arena-like as many had hoped.

The Guardian - Tech

Humanity's immediate predecessors may have had trouble climbing trees, research suggests – so they may not have been as ape-like as many experts believe.

Independent

A current undergraduate, who would not give his name because of the controversial nature of the subject, said that the administration was not as wrathful and Old Testament-like as many would suspect.

The New York Times

Etiquette posts, on things like "social media dos and don'ts," have attracted five times the number of comments and Facebook "likes" as many other posts, she said.

The New York Times

He likes, as many Dutch players do, to be what is known as a shadow striker, lurking behind a main central attacker, creating and exploiting space.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and correctness, replace "like as many" with more grammatically sound alternatives such as "as many as possible" or "a large number of". This ensures your writing adheres to standard English conventions, enhancing its professional appeal.

Common error

Avoid using "like as many" because it incorrectly combines the comparative function of "like" with the quantifying phrase "as many". Instead, choose one function or the other: use "like" for comparisons (e.g., "similar to many") or "as many" to specify quantity (e.g., "as many options as possible").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like as many" functions as a quantifier, though it is grammatically incorrect. While aiming to express a high quantity or degree, it combines a comparative element ('like') with a quantifying phrase ('as many'). Ludwig AI flags this as non-standard usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

27%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "like as many" is commonly encountered, especially in news and media, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It attempts to express a high quantity or degree but falls short due to improper construction. For clear, professional communication, it's best to replace "like as many" with grammatically sound alternatives such as "as many as possible" or "a large number of". While its frequency may suggest acceptability, opting for correct alternatives enhances clarity and credibility in writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as many as possible

This alternative emphasizes maximizing the quantity within given constraints, removing the 'like' which introduces grammatical issues.

as much as possible

Similar to 'as many as possible', this option is suitable for uncountable nouns, ensuring grammatical correctness.

a large number of

This phrase offers a more formal way to indicate a significant quantity, avoiding the grammatical problem.

a great deal of

Best used with uncountable nouns, this is another formal and grammatically sound substitute.

numerous

A succinct adjective to denote 'many', suitable for formal contexts.

plenty of

Indicates an ample amount, typically in informal settings.

a multitude of

Implies a very large number, often used for emphasis.

a host of

Similar to 'a multitude of', this option conveys a sense of abundance or profusion.

countless

Emphasizes that the number is too high to count, often used for dramatic effect.

innumerable

Synonymous with 'countless', indicating a quantity that is beyond calculation.

FAQs

What's wrong with the phrase "like as many"?

The phrase "like as many" is grammatically incorrect. It inappropriately mixes the comparative word "like" with the phrase "as many", which is used to indicate quantity. Using alternatives such as "as many as possible" maintains grammatical correctness.

How can I properly use "as many" in a sentence?

Use "as many" followed by "as possible" to correctly indicate the highest feasible quantity. For example, "We need "as many volunteers as possible"" demonstrates proper usage, avoiding the confusion introduced by "like".

What alternatives can I use instead of "like as many" to express a similar idea?

You can use phrases like "as many as possible", "numerous", or "a large number of" depending on the context. These alternatives are grammatically sound and convey the intended meaning more clearly.

Is "like as many" ever considered acceptable in informal conversation?

While "like as many" might be understood in very informal speech, it's not considered standard English. For clear and professional communication, it's best to avoid this phrase even in casual settings and opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "as many as possible".