like most

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "like most" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is used to compare one thing to a group or set of similar things. For example, "Like most children, my daughter loves to play outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

LIKE most households, we recycle pretty religiously.

The New York Times

I don't like most contemporary art.

The New York Times - Arts

"I like most working with people.

Science Magazine

What do they like most?

Los Angeles Times

That's what I like most.

Global health, science and practice

Bring the pet you like most.

WikiHow

Use whatever flavor you like most.

WikiHow

But pick whatever you like most.

WikiHow

Not like most girls".

The New Yorker

I'm like most people.

The New York Times

Some like most.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "like most" to draw comparisons between a specific subject and a broader group or trend, making your writing more relatable and understandable. For example, "Like most people, I prefer coffee in the morning."

Common error

Avoid using "like most" when making absolute statements. The phrase implies a majority or commonality, not a universality. For example, instead of "Like most politicians, he's corrupt", which is a generalization, consider "Like many politicians, he faces ethical challenges."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like most" primarily functions as a comparative element, drawing parallels between a specific subject and a larger group or trend. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and common comparative phrase used to show similarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "like most" is a versatile phrase used for making comparisons and establishing common ground. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It's a phrase commonly found in diverse sources like news articles, wikis, and scientific publications. The analysis reveals that the phrase functions primarily as a comparative element, its purpose being to establish relatability. While neutral in tone, it's essential to avoid overgeneralization, as "like most" suggests a commonality rather than an absolute truth. It is advisable to replace it with alternative expressions such as "similarly to the majority" or "as with the majority", when a more formal language is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the most part

Implies that something is true in most instances, aligning with "like most".

in common with most

Highlights the shared characteristic with the majority.

as with the majority

Emphasizes the commonality with a larger group, similar to "like most".

in most cases

Focuses on the frequency of a situation, comparable to "like most".

similarly to the majority

Replaces "like most" with a more formal and explicit comparison to a majority.

as is typical

Highlights the standard or expected behavior, similar to "like most".

usually

Indicates a customary or expected action or state, similar to "like most".

typically

Conveys that something is usual or representative of a group, akin to "like most".

commonly

Suggests a frequent occurrence, mirroring the idea behind "like most".

generally

Indicates a widespread occurrence, similar to the concept of "like most".

FAQs

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

You can use "like most" to compare a subject to a general trend or majority. For instance, "Like most students, she studies hard for exams."

What can I say instead of "like most"?

Alternatives include "similarly to the majority", "as with the majority", or "in common with most" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "like most" or "as most"?

"Like most" is the correct and more common phrasing. "As most" is grammatically incorrect and rarely used.

What's the difference between "like most" and "most of"?

"Like most" is used for comparisons, while "most of" specifies a proportion. For example, "Like most people, I enjoy weekends" compares your preference to others, whereas "Most of my friends enjoy weekends" specifies a quantity.