liken

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "liken" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to compare one thing to another, as in the example sentence, "I like to liken playing the guitar to painting a picture with sound."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some liken Mr Li's support for the SFTZ to his predecessors' push for entry into the WTO in 2001, a symbol of modernisation that galvanised political support for economic reform.And despite the lack of details, the SFTZ guidelines promise to liberalise some important sectors.

The Economist

And it is both dismissive and wrong to liken Chinese repression to a Walt Disney fantasy, as Mr Freeman does.From no perspective was Beijing the right decision.

The Economist

All contingents faced great difficulties in this complex mission and continued to support UNAMSIL through its darkest hours.BERNARD MIYETUnder-secretary-generalDepartment of Peacekeeping OperationsUNNew YorkClearing the airSIR Your attempt to liken the Pew Centre on Global Climate Change to the Global Climate Coalition is like trying to compare apples and oranges (Face value, August 12th).

The Economist

They liken America to "an ageing sports dynasty that has won the Super Bowl for many years but blithely ignores the rising performance of younger teams".But these rankings include measures that have little to do with innovation, such as the size of a country's trade deficit.

The Economist

Fond of their cosmological analogies, they liken them to the labours of medieval astronomers, trying to fit anomalous movements of the planets into their Ptolemaic model of the universe.But the authors' thesis raises anomalies of its own.

The Economist

In his speech on Victory Day (May 9th), Mr Putin seemed to liken America to the Third Reich.

The Economist

SHINZO ABE, Japan's prime minister, seems to have found the perfect riposte to China's constant comparisons of his administration to the one that led Japan into the second world war: to liken China to the German regime ahead of the first world war.

The Economist

Ms Rousseff's ally and predecessor Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva went so far as to liken the PSDB to the Nazis because of their supposed intolerance of the disadvantaged.

The Economist

Mr Putin recently seemed to liken America to Nazi Germany.

The Economist

"IT IS not ludicrous to liken old Bogle to Moses bringing the law down off Sinai amidst thunder, lightning and a thick cloud," wrote a customer of Vanguard, a low-cost mutual fund company, about its founder, John Bogle.

The Economist

Mr Fortuyn preferred to liken himself to Margaret Thatcher or Italy's Silvio Berlusconi.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "liken" when you want to draw a comparison that highlights a specific similarity or characteristic between two things. For instance, "Critics liken his leadership style to that of a dictator."

Common error

While "liken" is acceptable, excessive use can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "compare", "equate", or "draw a parallel" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "liken" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object and is used to express a comparison or analogy between two things. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples showcasing how "liken" connects subjects and objects in comparative statements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "liken" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb used to draw comparisons or analogies between entities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in various writing contexts. Predominantly found in news and scientific media, it serves the purpose of establishing connections or highlighting similarities, usually adopting a neutral tone. When writing, ensure that you use "liken" to draw specific comparisons, and avoid overuse by varying your vocabulary with alternatives such as "compare", "equate", or "draw a parallel". The examples from Ludwig showcase that "liken" enhances understanding and clarity when used judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compare

A more general term for pointing out similarities.

make a comparison

A more explicit way to express the act of comparing.

draw a parallel

Focuses on establishing a direct comparison or similarity.

draw an analogy

Highlights similarities between different things to explain a concept.

equate

Suggests a stronger connection, often implying equivalence.

see a resemblance

Emphasizes the perceived similarity or likeness.

find similarities

Focuses on discovering common traits or features.

relate to

Indicates a connection or association.

associate with

Suggests a connection or link between two things.

correspond to

Indicates a similarity or analogy in function or structure.

FAQs

How to use "liken" in a sentence?

You can use "liken" to compare something to something else. For example, "Some "liken" the current economic situation to the Great Depression".

What can I say instead of "liken"?

You can use alternatives like "compare", "equate", or "draw a parallel depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "liken to" or "liken with"?

"Liken to" is the standard and correct usage. For example, "The author "likened" the protagonist's journey to a hero's quest".

What's the difference between "liken" and "compare"?

"Compare" is a more general term for pointing out similarities or differences. "Liken" specifically means to point out similarities or to suggest that one thing is like another. You compare items to assess their qualities, but you "liken" them to draw an analogy.