lot like both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lot like both" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete expression and lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "This new model is a lot like both the previous versions in terms of design and functionality."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was starting to look a lot like both.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The war on drugs is a lot like abortion, both debates being framed in legal and medical terms, but really motivated by something much more primitive.

The Guardian - Books

Informational interviews are a lot like skateboarding: Both look easy, but when you step on, watch out!

Science Magazine

Jack Bauer is a lot like Santa Claus: both men work only one day per year.

Huffington Post

In fact, according to experts, physical attraction works a lot like addiction: both stimulate brain chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin.

WikiHow

She looks a lot like Ana, and both of them look a lot like Christian's dead mother; more about that in a moment.

The New Yorker

"It's bloomed a lot like lacrosse in both viewership and number of players.

Huffington Post

For now, it looks an awfully lot like Flake is both wrapping himself in the American flag and waving the white one.

Vice

There is a lot to like about both of the major contenders, though it is no great surprise to find Sea Of Class at the head of the market as she beat the Epsom Oaks winner Forever Together at The Curragh last time out and is also a proven performer at today's 12-furlong trip.

The Guardian - Sport

There's a lot to like in both David Barr's and Benjamin Lynerd's analyses of evangelical support for Donald Trump in this scholarly roundtable.

University of Chicago

A midterm election is a lot like a midterm exam: both can feel bogus.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, consider replacing "lot like both" with phrases such as "very similar to both" or "much like both".

Common error

Avoid using "lot like both" without specifying what aspects are similar. Instead, provide context by explaining what characteristics or qualities are shared between the subjects being compared.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lot like both" functions as a comparative expression, attempting to draw a similarity between an unstated subject and two other entities. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it lacks standard grammatical structure and is often incomplete without additional context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science & Research

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the expression "lot like both" appears across diverse sources, including news outlets and wikis, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable. It attempts to convey similarity between one subject and two others, but its informal structure and potential for incompleteness make it less suitable for formal writing. For enhanced clarity, alternatives such as "very similar to both" or "much like both" are recommended. In professional or academic contexts, consider more precise options like "bears resemblance to both".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very similar to both

Replaces "a lot like" with "very similar to", offering a more grammatically standard alternative while maintaining the comparison to two entities.

much like both

Substitutes "a lot" with "much", providing a slightly more formal tone while still indicating a strong resemblance.

resembles both

Uses the verb "resembles" to directly express similarity, creating a concise and grammatically sound alternative.

bears resemblance to both

Employs a more formal and explicit way to convey similarity, emphasizing the connection between the subjects being compared.

is akin to both

Introduces "akin to" as a substitute for "like", suggesting a similarity in nature or quality.

shares traits with both

Focuses on the shared characteristics between the subjects, highlighting specific similarities rather than a general likeness.

has commonalities with both

Highlights shared elements or features, indicating areas where the subjects overlap or have similar attributes.

is comparable to both

Uses "comparable to" to suggest that the subjects can be evaluated against each other, indicating similar qualities or characteristics.

parallels both

Emphasizes the existence of corresponding or similar aspects between the subjects, suggesting a direct comparison.

mirrors both

Implies a high degree of similarity, suggesting that one subject closely reflects or imitates the other.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "lot like both" to improve clarity?

Consider using clearer alternatives such as "very similar to both", "much like both", or "resembles both" to enhance grammatical correctness and comprehension.

Is "lot like both" grammatically correct?

While "lot like both" appears in various contexts, it's not considered standard English. For formal writing, opt for alternatives that provide greater grammatical precision.

What's a more formal substitute for "lot like both"?

For formal contexts, use alternatives like "bears resemblance to both" or "is akin to both" to convey similarity with enhanced sophistication.

How does the meaning change when using "similar to" instead of "lot like"?

Switching to "similar to" or "very similar to" maintains the core meaning of resemblance but provides a more precise and grammatically sound expression, reducing ambiguity compared to "lot like".