like every other thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "like every other thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare something to all other similar items or situations, emphasizing that it is not unique. Example: "This project, like every other thing we've done, requires careful planning and execution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Like every other thing in this novel, Oren's original exit from town was fraught: he left as a teenager after the disappearance of his younger brother, Josh.

The New York Times - Books

Like every other thing, volunteering is also a double-sided coin that has both pros and cons.

HuffPost

Just like every other thing in life that I'm not thrilled about, I have to learn to accept this.

Huffington Post

So, what you have to do is just like every other thing: Everything you've been told is wrong, and you have to take life by the handlebars and figure out what's really going on".

Vice

As a certified health coach, I felt like it was important to "walk the talk" and make sure that I was taking exceptional care of myself; but like every other thing in life, you can take even good things too far!

Huffington Post

YouTube is straight from the people to the world, so if you can come up with a three-minute video that's interesting or clever or exciting enough and stick it on YouTube, you can become a star, just like the homeless radio guy voice, or Justin Beiber, or like every other thing that exploded on YouTube.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Canadian curler Randy Ferbey, a four-time world champion, said "I'm sure they're going to somehow make a mockery of it like they do every other thing, but I think you need to take it with a grain of salt.

Wikipedia

In Brehm's world, it is, like every single other thing, a means of expression.

Huffington Post

Because like every other living thing, we're works in progress.

Huffington Post

Yet we watch it just like every other bad thing one watches on the internet, because you just can't pull yourself away.

Huffington Post

The little yellow monster we all love is getting the live-action treatment like every other damn thing we loved in the 90s.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "like every other thing" to draw parallels and emphasize that something is not exceptional or unique within its category. It is best used when you wish to convey that a subject follows a general rule or pattern.

Common error

Avoid using "like every other thing" excessively in writing where a more precise or nuanced comparison would be more effective. While it conveys a sense of commonality, overuse can dilute the strength of your argument or make your writing sound cliché.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like every other thing" functions as a prepositional phrase used for comparison. It typically introduces an element that shares characteristics with all other elements of its kind. Ludwig examples show it being used to equate a subject with the norm.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "like every other thing" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to indicate similarity or a lack of uniqueness. According to Ludwig, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, avoid overuse to maintain clarity and impact. Consider alternatives such as "like everything else" or "similar to all other things" for variety. Remember to consider the context and desired nuance when choosing the most appropriate phrase to convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just like everything else

Adds "just" for emphasis on the commonality.

like any other thing

Emphasizes the lack of uniqueness by using 'any'.

the same as everything else

Uses a simpler and more direct comparison.

like all the rest

Replaces "every other thing" with "all the rest", emphasizing inclusion within a group.

similar to everything else

Uses a more descriptive and less idiomatic phrasing.

typical of everything else

Highlights that something conforms to a usual pattern or standard.

in common with everything else

Highlights the shared characteristics rather than the broad similarity.

consistent with everything else

Focuses on the harmony and agreement with all other things.

no different from everything else

Emphasizes the lack of distinction.

identical to everything else

Indicates an exact match or similarity.

FAQs

How can I use "like every other thing" in a sentence?

You can use "like every other thing" to compare something to everything else of its kind, suggesting it's not unique. For example, "This challenge, like every other thing we've faced, requires teamwork."

What is a similar phrase to "like every other thing"?

Alternatives include "like everything else", "similar to all other things", or "just like everything else". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "like every other thing"?

Yes, the phrase "like every other thing" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate similarity or lack of distinction.

What's the difference between "like every other thing" and "like many other things"?

"Like every other thing" suggests that something is similar to all others in a group, while "like many other things" indicates similarity to several, but not necessarily all, items in a group. The former implies universality, the latter, commonality.