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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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like proactive

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "like proactive" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to compare something to being proactive, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "She approaches her work like proactive individuals do, always anticipating challenges."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Some even shared their feedback with us that they would like proactive assistance on arrivals, both with luggage and with ground transport/ booking of taxi, especially at night.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Spanning tree protocol, like proactive scheme, finds the best path before starting the data transmission.

These syndromes similar to personality types among humans are present across the animal kingdom and include categories like "proactive" (animals are bold, aggressive, and risk-prone) and "reactive" (animals are shy, calm, and risk-averse).

Science & Research

Science Magazine

Along this vein, Microsoft will be using Foursquare's integration with the Bing platform to provide things like proactive notifications, integration with Bing Maps, and more tendrils that touch Microsoft's devices and services on Windows Phone.

News & Media

TechCrunch

And without ownership of the hardware where it could track and keep my habits protected on-device like Proactive Siri in iOS 9, it's not going to get any more useful then Google Now or Siri in terms of background location-awareness.

News & Media

TechCrunch

There is a need for studies to investigate these underlying mechanisms that enable and enhance PA participation, as well as a need to develop and quantify the effects of supportive measures (like proactive support and individualization).

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"We would like a proactive response to this ongoing problem, it's just chronic".

News & Media

The Guardian

"We like to be proactive and show the desire is huge to turn a result from negative to positive.

One email written shortly before the soldier arrived at the marine base after his arrest in Iraq said that Flynn "would like to be proactive and make sure we hold the moral high ground if this issue takes hold in the press".

News & Media

The Guardian

"We'd actually like to be proactive, and have a process in place so that we're able to notify these populations, and hopefully find somewhere to go, and provide services that they require," Ipsen added.

News & Media

Vice

If you would like to be proactive and you know when your computer will be on but not in use on a frequent basis, you can set your computer to run defragmentation automatically.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to draw a comparison to proactive behavior, use clearer alternatives like "similarly proactive" or "in a proactive manner". This ensures grammatical correctness and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "like proactive" directly. Instead, rephrase to clearly indicate what is being compared to the concept of being proactive. For example, instead of saying "He acts like proactive", say "He acts in a proactive manner".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like proactive" functions as a comparative element, attempting to draw a parallel between something and the concept of being proactive. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it's not grammatically correct, leading to ambiguity. Better alternatives offer clearer comparisons.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

29%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "like proactive" is used to draw a comparison but is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI pointed out, clearer alternatives such as "similarly proactive" or "in a proactive manner" offer better precision and grammatical soundness. While the phrase appears in various contexts, including news, science, and wiki sources, it's advisable to use more explicit language to avoid ambiguity, especially in formal writing. Always opt for grammatically correct alternatives to ensure effective communication.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "like proactive" to be grammatically correct?

Instead of "like proactive", use phrases such as "similarly proactive", "in a proactive manner", or "such as proactive" depending on the context.

Is "like proactive" considered standard English?

No, "like proactive" is not considered standard English. It is better to use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives to convey your intended meaning.

What does it mean to act "like proactive"?

The phrase "like proactive" is not clear. To express a similar idea, you could say someone acts in a way that anticipates and addresses potential issues before they arise, which is the essence of being proactive. Better formulations are available such as "just as proactive".

When is it appropriate to use "like proactive"?

Given that "like proactive" is grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity, it is generally not appropriate to use it in formal or academic writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives for better communication.

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: