like was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'like was' is not grammatically correct and should not be used in written English.
Instead, you could use the phrase 'was like' in place of 'like was'. For example, you could say, "It was like I was in a dream."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

So I like being 17.

The New York Times

We like being #1.

TechCrunch

We don't like being #2.

TechCrunch

"I like being 41.

Los Angeles Times

Which is not to say he liked being 18 stone.

The Guardian - Film

What was it like being 25?

The Guardian - Opinion

It's like being 12 again.

The Guardian - Books

"Do I like being No1? Absolutely.

The Guardian - Sport

I did not like being 70, and I like being 80 even less.

The Guardian - Music

It was like being 4 again — or being 90.

The New York Times - Magazine

It felt like being 16 again".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to express similarity or a descriptive state, ensure the correct grammatical structure by using "was like" instead of the incorrect "like was".

Common error

Avoid placing "like" before "was" when describing a state or comparison. Remember that "was" is a verb and typically follows the subject in a sentence, while "like" functions as a preposition or conjunction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like was" is grammatically incorrect. The proper phrasing is "was like", which typically functions as a descriptive phrase, comparing one thing to another or describing a state of being. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase should not be used.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "like was" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. The correct phrase is "was like", which is used to express a comparison, describe a feeling, or convey a state of being. Ludwig AI flags this as an incorrect formulation and suggests using "was like" instead. When writing, it's crucial to maintain the correct order to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was like

Reverses the word order to create a grammatically correct phrase often used to describe a state or condition.

was similar to

Replaces "like" with "similar to" to describe a resemblance between two things.

seemed like

Uses "seemed like" to express an impression or appearance.

felt like

Employs "felt like" to describe a sensation or emotional state.

resembled

Offers a single-word verb to convey a similarity in appearance or nature.

was comparable to

Substitutes with "comparable to" to indicate that something is similar enough to be compared.

was akin to

Uses "akin to" for a more formal way of saying something is similar or related.

had the characteristics of

Provides a more descriptive and formal alternative to indicate shared traits.

shared features with

Focuses on the shared attributes between two subjects.

mirrored

Suggests a close resemblance, like a reflection.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "like was"?

The correct order is "was like". The phrase "was like" is used to describe a feeling, situation, or comparison. For example, "The dream "was like" floating on a cloud".

Is "like was" grammatically correct?

No, "like was" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is "was like". Ludwig AI also confirms this assessment.

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

You can use "was like" to describe a state, feeling, or similarity. For example, "The party "was like" a scene from a movie" or "It "was like" talking to a brick wall".

What's the difference between "was like" and "seemed like"?

"Was like" describes a direct comparison or state, while "seemed like" implies an appearance or impression. "The music "was like" a lullaby" suggests a direct similarity, whereas "The music "seemed like" a lullaby" suggests that it gave the impression of being one.