like what

USAGE SUMMARY

"like what" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone for an example or more information about something. For example, "Can you tell me more about the product? Like what features does it have?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"We like what we do.

The New York Times

"I like what we're doing.

The New York Times - Science

"They like what they like.

The New York Times - Magazine

So nature is like, what?

The Guardian - Music

"I like what Uriel did.

The New York Times

"I like what I see".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

He liked what he saw.

The New York Times

"I liked what I saw".

The New York Times - Sports

Shaw liked what it heard.

The New York Times - Arts

They liked what they heard.

The New Yorker

Mr. Graham liked what he heard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "like what" in informal settings to seek clarification or examples in a casual, conversational way. Avoid using it in formal writing.

Common error

While "like what" is acceptable in informal speech, substituting it with phrases such as "for example" or "what specifically" maintains a professional tone in formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like what" primarily functions as an interrogative expression used to seek clarification or specific examples following a statement. This aligns with Ludwig's analysis indicating its role in requesting further information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

22%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

22%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "like what" is a commonly used interrogative phrase primarily employed in informal contexts to request clarification or specific examples. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While prevalent in news and media, as well as everyday conversation, its use should be avoided in formal writing, where alternatives such as "for example" or "what specifically" are more appropriate. The related phrases offer a range of alternatives depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. The examples from Ludwig showcase the various contexts in which "like what" is effectively used, highlighting its role in promoting clearer communication in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Such as what

Emphasizes the request for specific examples, similar to "like what".

For example

More direct request for examples, omitting the conversational filler.

What kind

Focuses on the type or category being requested, rather than specific instances.

What specifically

Adds emphasis on the need for a precise answer.

What sorts of things

Broader request for types of things, rather than specific instances.

What do you mean

Seeks clarification on the statement itself, rather than examples.

Can you elaborate

Asks for more detailed explanation or development of a previous statement.

Could you clarify

A polite request for further explanation to remove ambiguity.

In what way

Focuses on how something is done or manifested.

What instances

Directly asks for specific occurrences or cases.

FAQs

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

You can use "like what" to ask for clarification or specific examples. For instance, "You mentioned new features, "like what" exactly?"

What's a more formal way to say "like what"?

Instead of "like what", you could use phrases such as "for example", "specifically which", or "what kinds of" in more formal settings.

Is it appropriate to use "like what" in academic writing?

No, "like what" is generally too informal for academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "for example" or "what specifically".

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

"Like what" is more casual and conversational. "Such as what" is slightly more formal but serves a similar purpose in requesting examples.