mostly like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly like" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used informally to express a similarity or approximation, but it is better to use more precise language. Example: "The painting is mostly like the one we saw in the gallery, but with different colors."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

If you couldn't tell, I mostly like confessional books by women.

The New York Times - Books

For those who mostly like symphonic music, it's easy to love it from that angle.

Los Angeles Times

People who see them mostly like them.

The New York Times

But they're mostly like the below.

Independent

So it manifested itself mostly like that".

The Guardian - Music

"They mostly like older war movies, like 'Platoon,' " she said.

The New Yorker

Tight ends then were used mostly like another tackle.

The New York Times

In between, it seemed mostly like business as usual.

Independent

The app looks mostly like the one for iPhone.

Independent

Nonwhite voters mostly like what the government does.

The New York Times

Others look the part but mostly like the lore.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain a neutral tone, it's generally advisable to replace the expression with a similar alternative.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly like" excessively in academic or professional writing. While acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Strive for varied vocabulary by using alternatives such as "largely resembles" or "primarily similar to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly like" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the degree to which something resembles something else. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is not considered standard in written English, so it's better to opt for more precise language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

22%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mostly like" is frequently used to convey a sense of similarity or approximation, though Ludwig AI notes it's not always considered the most precise choice. Its function is to modify the extent of resemblance, predominantly in neutral to informal contexts like News & Media. For formal writing, more accurate synonyms like "primarily similar to" or "largely akin to" are recommended to enhance clarity. While widespread, being mindful of the context and opting for varied vocabulary will strengthen your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily similar to

Emphasizes the main aspect of similarity, suggesting other aspects might differ.

largely akin to

Highlights a substantial degree of resemblance, suitable for formal contexts.

generally resembling

Indicates an overall likeness, with room for minor discrepancies.

mainly analogous to

Suggests a comparison based on key similarities, often used in analytical contexts.

chiefly comparable to

Focuses on the most important similarities, implying a selective comparison.

substantially the same as

Conveys a high degree of equivalence, suitable for technical or legal contexts.

in most respects like

Acknowledges possible differences while affirming a strong overall similarity.

for the most part like

Highlights what is typical or common about the similarity.

almost identical to

Indicates near perfect similarity, but does not imply complete equivalence.

essentially similar to

Focuses on the fundamental similarity, overlooking superficial differences.

FAQs

What does "mostly like" mean?

The phrase "mostly like" means largely or mainly similar, but not entirely the same. It indicates a general resemblance with some differences.

What can I say instead of "mostly like"?

You can use alternatives like "primarily similar to", "largely akin to", or "generally resembling" depending on the context.

Is "mostly like" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "mostly like" is not always considered the most grammatically precise phrase. Alternatives might offer more clarity in formal writing.

How to use "mostly like" in a sentence?

You can use "mostly like" to describe something that shares many characteristics with something else. For example, "The app looks "mostly like" the one for iPhone."