like in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "like in" is a perfectly acceptable part of written English.
It can be used in the same way as "as in" when giving an example or to make a comparison. For example, "The flowers in bloom were the same beautiful shades of pink, like in a painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I know what I like in minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

"Just like in here," a reporter responded.

The New York Times

Dip anything you like in it.

WikiHow

What would you like in it?

WikiHow

"Like, in an hour".

The New York Times - Arts

"Like in the movies?

The New Yorker

Like in any way.

The New York Times

Like in a story.

The New Yorker

Like in the monarchy.

The New Yorker

"Just like in prison".

The New York Times

It's like in baseball.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "like in" when drawing a direct comparison or giving an easily understood example. It works best in informal contexts where clarity is valued over formality.

Common error

Avoid using "like in" in academic or professional writing. Opt for more formal alternatives such as "as in" or "such as in" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like in" functions as a prepositional phrase used to introduce a comparison or example. It clarifies a concept by relating it to something familiar. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage aligns with examples found in various sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "like in" is a prepositional phrase used to draw comparisons or provide examples, mostly in informal settings. While grammatically correct, it's best to avoid it in formal writing, opting for alternatives "such as" "as in" or "for example". Ludwig AI confirms that "like in" is perfectly acceptable in English but is more suited for casual contexts. When in doubt, consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing before using "like in".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as in

Replaces "like" with "as", providing a more formal and direct comparison.

such as in

Adds specificity, indicating the phrase will introduce examples.

similar to

Emphasizes the similarity between the items being compared.

for example in

Clearly indicates that an example will follow, making it more explicit.

in the manner of

Offers a more formal and literary way to express similarity.

akin to

Provides a sophisticated synonym for "similar to", suitable for formal contexts.

in the style of

Indicates that something resembles a particular style or method.

comparable to

Highlights the comparability between two things, implying they share similar qualities.

along the lines of

Suggests a general similarity, without being exact.

reminiscent of

Implies that something evokes memories or associations of something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "like in" to draw a comparison or provide an example, such as, "The garden looked just "like in" a painting."

What's a more formal alternative to "like in"?

A more formal alternative to "like in" is "as in", which provides a more direct and professional comparison.

Is "like in" grammatically correct?

Yes, "like in" is grammatically correct, though it is more appropriate for informal contexts. Ludwig confirms that it is acceptable.

When should I avoid using "like in"?

Avoid using "like in" in formal writing, such as academic papers or professional reports. Instead, choose alternatives "such as" "as in" or "for example".