like that of

USAGE SUMMARY

"like that of" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally, it is used to compare two or more things. For example: My new car has a sleek design, like that of the latest luxury models.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Like that of your house.

WikiHow

"You'd like that?" "Of course not.

The New Yorker

It doesn't work like that of course.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nobody put it like that, of course.

The Guardian - Business

Most weren't like that, of course.

The Guardian - Books

Politics doesn't work like that, of course.

The New Yorker

The stock market works like that, of course.

The New Yorker

A small explosion — like that of firecracker — lifted his boot.

The New York Times

Few professions conjure up glamorous images like that of ambassadors.

The New York Times

But their banter sounds like that of brothers.

The New York Times

But nature is nothing like that, of course.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "like that of" to make comparisons between nouns or noun phrases, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity. For instance, instead of 'His approach is like his brother,' use 'His approach is like that of his brother' to emphasize the similarity in their approaches.

Common error

Ensure the pronoun 'that' clearly refers to a specific noun. Avoid using "like that of" when the reference is vague or unclear, as this can lead to confusion. Instead, rephrase to make the comparison more direct and explicit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like that of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that introduces a comparison between two nouns or noun phrases. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a grammatically correct and widely used construction, serving to draw parallels between different entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "like that of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to establish comparisons between nouns or noun phrases. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for both neutral and formal contexts. While alternatives such as "similar to" or "resembling" exist, "like that of" offers a specific way to draw parallels and emphasize shared attributes. It is crucial to ensure clarity in pronoun reference when employing this phrase to avoid ambiguity. Remember that its frequent appearance in reputable sources like The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica confirms its relevance and reliability as a tool for expressing similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similar to

Uses a more direct adjective to indicate resemblance, avoiding the prepositional structure.

resembling that of

Emphasizes the act of resembling, adding a dynamic element to the comparison.

akin to

Offers a more formal and concise way of expressing similarity.

comparable to

Highlights the aspect of being able to be compared, suggesting a degree of equivalence.

analogous to

Implies a deeper, more structural similarity or correspondence.

in the same way as

Focuses on the manner or method being similar.

much the same as

Indicates a high degree of similarity, almost to the point of being identical.

on par with

Suggests a level of equality or equivalence in terms of quality or status.

equivalent to

Indicates an equal value, measure, or force.

mirroring that of

Suggests a very close resemblance, like a reflection.

FAQs

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

The phrase "like that of" is used to draw a comparison between two things. For example, you can say, "The texture of this fabric is "like that of" silk."

What is a simpler way to say "like that of"?

If you want a simpler alternative, you can use phrases such as "similar to", "resembling", or "comparable to".

Is it correct to say "like that which" instead of "like that of"?

While "like that which" might be grammatically understandable, ""like that of"" is more common and stylistically preferred in modern English. It provides a clearer and more concise comparison.

What's the difference between "like that of" and "such as"?

"Like that of" is used for comparisons, while "such as" is used to introduce examples. For instance, "His leadership style is like that of a military general" compares styles, whereas "He enjoys activities such as hiking and camping" provides examples of activities.