like follows

USAGE SUMMARY

"like follows" is not a correct or commonly used phrase in written English.
It may be used informally in spoken language, but it is not grammatically correct. A more correct version would be "as follows." For example: Incorrect: I will explain the process like follows. Correct: I will explain the process as follows.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"I like the Fresh Air Fund because once you get involved in it, it, like, follows you for the rest of your life," Kleaver said.

The New York Times

The terrain information can be obtained like follows.

ROBOMECH Journal

The company says these notifications will now appear for others both in-stream on the main Dashboard as well as on the "Activity" page, where users today see things like follows, likes, reblogs, and more.

TechCrunch

Plus, you're not just seeing comments, but other activities like follows and likes, which should give you get a good sense of what other people are reading and who they're following.

TechCrunch

"Pop Like" follows a series of sweet-as remixes from the Beat Mob & Marek, most notably last year's edit of Vic Mensa's all-conquering "Down On My Luck", which drew praise from the man himself.

Vice

When asked about daytime sleepiness during lectures (DSL) the answers were like follows: 49 (12.2%) never had DSL while 288 (72%) had DSL at least once a week.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

And then, you know, you can like follow those and learn new things.

TechCrunch

Promo T gets people to like, follow or subscribe.

WikiHow

The platform also serves as a monitoring application to track opens, clicks, likes, follows, and more.

TechCrunch

Likes, follows, and shares all seem to mean something to us.

Huffington Post

According to the phylogeny analysis, T. bicarinatum PLA1-like follows the Hymenoptera phylogeny and appears to be most closely related to the fire ant phospholipase than to vespid clusters with well supported bootstrap values.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing a list or explanation, use the phrase "as follows" instead of "like follows" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Don't use "like follows" in formal writing; it is generally considered incorrect. Instead, opt for the standard phrase "as follows" to ensure your writing is grammatically sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like follows" is often intended as an introductory phrase similar to "as follows", aiming to present a sequence or explanation. However, Ludwig AI marks this usage as incorrect in formal contexts, indicating a deviation from standard grammatical norms. Examples show its occurrence across diverse online sources, but this does not validate its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "like follows" appears in various sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI flags this usage as non-standard, advising against its use in formal writing. For clarity and correctness, it's best to use "as follows" or other similar phrases. Although "like follows" might be encountered, especially in informal contexts, sticking to established grammatical norms ensures clearer and more professional communication. Remember that while Ludwig provides examples, it also indicates when a phrase is grammatically unsound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as follows

Replaces "like follows" with a grammatically correct and formally recognized phrase for introducing a list or explanation.

in the following way

Provides a clear and direct method to indicate a sequence or how something will be done.

in this manner

Offers a formal way to describe a process or series of actions, emphasizing the method of execution.

in accordance with

Expresses actions taken because they are in compliance with a rule or standard.

accordingly

Suggests actions or results that are appropriately aligned with previous actions or statements.

in compliance with

Highlights adherence to rules or regulations.

subsequently

Focuses on events that happen after one another, stressing the temporal sequence.

in consequence

Highlights the results or effects of an earlier event or situation.

pursuant to

A formal term for actions done according to legal or procedural directives.

by virtue of

Indicates something that occurs because of a specific quality or fact.

FAQs

Is "like follows" grammatically correct?

No, "like follows" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. A more appropriate phrase to use is "as follows".

When should I use "as follows" instead of "like follows"?

Always use "as follows" when you want to introduce a list, explanation, or a series of steps in formal or professional writing. It is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

What's a simple alternative to "like follows"?

A simple and correct alternative to "like follows" is "in this way" or "in this manner" depending on the context.

How can I avoid using "like follows" in my writing?

To avoid using "like follows", revise your sentence to incorporate a more standard phrase such as "as demonstrated", "illustrated by", or simply restructure the sentence to naturally introduce the information.