likeable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likeable to" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It is not commonly used, and it would be better to use "likable to" or rephrase the sentence for clarity. Example: "She is likable to everyone in the office due to her friendly nature."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

And this made them likeable to us, despite them not necessarily being the nicest of people.

The Guardian - Books

Gordon's late troubles last year have made him decidedly more human and likeable to the denizens of pit row.

The New York Times - Sports

To simply be generous, open and engaged, on the other hand, is a simple recipe to appear likeable to anyone.

The Guardian - Opinion

It may be over-simplistic, but here there's a temptation to say that City, like Barcelona, want to be likeable; to avoid being seen just as arrivistes.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite the dismay there is a logic to Corbyn appointing McDonnell as his shadow chancellor, sectarian but likeable, to cover his back.

The Guardian

Along with Germany's head of government, Angela Merkel, he is one reason why Germany today appears, on balance, unthreatening and even likeable to its neighbours.Mrs Merkel and Mr Gauck began as an unlikely pairing.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Since the economy has more bearing on voters' daily lives than the personality of the president, they maintain, Mr Romney only has to be "likeable enough" to win.In the coming weeks, the Romney campaign says, it will have several opportunities to retake the initiative.

The Economist

The way to make the mistress likeable is to make her relatable to the viewer.

Huffington Post

Behind the scenes, analysts say DPJ strategists are working tirelessly to field fresh-faced, likeable candidates to stand against LDP dinosaurs.

The Economist

And Ruston agrees with Maxted – heroines don't have to be likeable for readers to want to live in their world: "Remember how addictive Dynasty was?

Independent

Many studies show that unstructured, face-to-face interviews are biased; interviewers prefer candidates who are likeable, similar to them, and physically attractive — even if these qualities are irrelevant to performance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "likeable to" is often used, consider using "likable to" or rephrasing to enhance clarity and adhere to standard English. For example, replace "He is likeable to everyone" with "He is likable to everyone" or "Everyone finds him likeable."

Common error

Avoid using "likeable to" in formal contexts such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more grammatically standard alternatives like "likable to" or restructure the sentence to use "likeable" as an adjective directly modifying a noun.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likeable to" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, typically used to describe someone or something that evokes positive feelings in others. While it aims to express appeal, Ludwig AI suggests it's not standard English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "likeable to" is commonly used to describe someone or something that others find appealing. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard, suggesting that alternative phrasings or the use of "likable to" might be more appropriate, especially in formal contexts. While prevalent in News & Media, Science and Wiki sources, it's crucial to be mindful of grammatical correctness and opt for clearer, more conventional expressions when possible. Consider using alternatives like "appealing to", "pleasant to", or restructuring the sentence to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appealing to

Focuses on attractiveness or desirability rather than inherent likeability.

pleasant to

Emphasizes agreeableness and a positive experience for the recipient.

agreeable to

Highlights ease of interaction and a lack of conflict.

well-received by

Indicates a positive reception or acceptance from a group.

popular with

Suggests widespread favor or admiration.

charming to

Implies a captivating or enchanting quality that attracts others.

enjoyable to

Stresses the pleasure or satisfaction derived from interacting with someone.

congenial to

Focuses on a friendly and sociable nature that puts others at ease.

simpatico with

Indicates a natural affinity or harmonious connection.

kind to

Emphasizes the benevolent and compassionate nature toward others.

FAQs

Is "likeable to" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "likeable to" is considered non-standard. It's preferable to use "likable to" or rephrase the sentence for better clarity and grammatical correctness. Ludwig AI flags this phrase as non-idiomatic.

What's a more formal alternative to "likeable to"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "appealing to", "agreeable to", or restructuring the sentence to use "likeable" as an adjective directly. For example, instead of "He is likeable to his colleagues", say "His colleagues find him likeable".

How can I use "likeable" correctly in a sentence?

Use "likeable" as an adjective describing a person or thing. For example, "He is a likeable person" or "The character needs to be more likeable". Avoid using "likeable to" when a simple adjective suffices.

What other phrases convey a similar meaning to "likeable to"?

Alternatives include "pleasant to", "charming to", or "popular with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of being well-received.