look like someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look like someone" can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe what someone looks like, or to compare someone's appearance to someone else. For example: "He looks like someone out of a Hollywood movie!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You look like someone else".

The New York Times

She certainly doesn't look like someone bored by contemporary fashion.

The New York Times

Also, do I really look like someone who would kill?

The Guardian - Opinion

She doesn't look like someone who has had work done.

The Guardian - Opinion

He didn't look like someone who had ever been young.

The Guardian - Film

They didn't want her to look like someone else.

The Guardian - Opinion

Do I look like someone who should be pregnant?

The New Yorker

"He doesn't look like someone who wears tights for a living," she said.

The New York Times

He doesn't look like someone who has been co-opted by the regime".

The New Yorker

He was trying to look like someone who had only hearts left in his hand.

The New York Times

It makes me look like someone about to have a breakdown".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "look like someone" when you want to describe a resemblance or similarity in appearance or character. It's versatile and widely understood.

Common error

While "look like someone" is common, avoid overusing it in your writing. Vary your descriptions with alternatives such as "resemble someone" or "take after someone" to make your writing more engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look like someone" functions primarily as a verb phrase used to describe the appearance or perceived characteristics of a person. Ludwig's examples show it's used to draw comparisons between individuals, either in terms of physical resemblance or the impression they convey.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

26%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "look like someone" is a versatile and commonly used expression in the English language, primarily used to describe resemblances in appearance or perceived characteristics. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and finds frequent application across diverse contexts, including news, media, and informal conversations. While highly prevalent, writers should strive for variation by employing synonyms such as "resemble someone" or "take after someone" to enrich their writing. The phrase functions as a verb phrase conveying similarity. It maintains a neutral register making it appropriate for various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look similar to someone

Highlights a general similarity.

resemble someone

Focuses specifically on physical similarity.

bear a resemblance to someone

Stresses a noticeable similarity in appearance.

mirror someone

Emphasizes a very strong or exact likeness.

appear like someone

Highlights the perceived image or impression given.

have the look of someone

Focuses on a specific aspect of appearance.

give the impression of someone

Emphasizes the feeling or perception created.

seem like someone

Suggests a likeness that might not be entirely accurate or complete.

take after someone

Implies inheriting traits or features.

favor someone

Indicates a family resemblance.

FAQs

How can I use "look like someone" in a sentence?

You can use "look like someone" to describe physical resemblance, for example: "She looks like someone I went to school with". You can also use it to describe a general impression, as in: "He looks like someone who knows what he's doing".

What can I say instead of "look like someone"?

You can use alternatives like "resemble someone", "appear like someone", or "give the impression of someone", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "looks like someone" or "look like someone"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "looks like someone" for singular subjects (e.g., "He looks like someone...") and "look like someone" for plural subjects (e.g., "They look like someone...").

What's the difference between "look like someone" and "take after someone"?

"Look like someone" generally refers to a visual similarity, while "take after someone" often implies inheriting traits or characteristics, not just physical appearance.