like us

USAGE SUMMARY

'like us' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to provide a comparison between two people or things, such as in this example: "The giraffe is taller than most animals, like us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They don't like us.

The New York Times

The Pharisees don't like us.

The New Yorker

The Japanese like us.

The Guardian - Sport

"He doesn't like us".

The New Yorker

He's really like us.

The New York Times

People will like us".

The New York Times

He didn't like us at first.

The New Yorker

"Why do you pretend to like us?

The New Yorker

But China isn't like us.

BBC

There aren't many teams like us.

BBC

Downtown they don't like us".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When drawing comparisons with "like us", consider whether a more precise term might be more effective. For instance, if you're comparing skill levels, "as skilled as us" would be a better choice.

Common error

Don't use "like us" without specifying the basis of comparison. For example, instead of saying "They are like us", specify "They are as dedicated as us" or "They share the same values like us" to ensure your meaning is clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like us" primarily functions as a comparative phrase, drawing parallels between the speaker (or a group they belong to) and another entity. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness and usability. The examples show it used to highlight shared qualities or characteristics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "like us" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for drawing comparisons. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and examples from a variety of sources, primarily in news and media, illustrate its versatility. While it's suitable for general use, consider more formal alternatives like "similar to us" in academic or professional settings. Ensure the basis of comparison is clear to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similar to us

Emphasizes resemblance, a more formal alternative.

the same as us

Highlights identical qualities or attributes.

just like we are

Emphasizes shared traits and characteristics.

akin to us

Suggests a kinship or relatedness, slightly more literary.

comparable to us

Focuses on the ability to draw parallels for evaluation.

of our kind

Indicates belonging to the same group or category.

sharing our traits

Highlights the common attributes between the entities.

in our image

Implies a deliberate shaping or molding to match existing standards.

cut from the same cloth

An idiomatic expression suggesting shared fundamental characteristics.

on a par with us

Highlights similar levels of achievement or quality.

FAQs

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

Use "like us" to draw a comparison between yourself or your group and another entity. For example, "They value teamwork, "like us"" shows a shared characteristic.

What phrases are similar to "like us"?

Similar phrases include "similar to us", "the same as us", or "just like we are", each with slight differences in nuance.

How formal is the phrase "like us"?

"Like us" is generally considered informal and is suitable for everyday conversation and writing. For more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "similar to us".

Is it always clear what 'us' refers to when using "like us"?

To avoid ambiguity, ensure that the 'us' in "like us" is clearly defined by the context. If there's any possibility of confusion, rephrase the sentence to specify who 'us' refers to.