really alike

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really alike" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a strong similarity between two or more things. Example: "The two paintings are really alike in style and color."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

And just as no two peas are ever really alike, so it is that no two farmers are alike.

The New York Times - Books

Knowing I was in the presence of genius, and thinking of the dopey edict of motivational, positive-thinking charlatans that "you can do anything you want to do if you just put your mind to it," I wondered if maybe all brains are really alike.

The New York Times

Also, speaking of bonding, Mila and Maya sit next to each other straightening their bobs and Maya interviews that she and Mila are really alike, and that Mila is like an older version of Maya.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Do great advertising minds really think alike?

The Guardian

And a lot of the fish really look alike.

The New Yorker

But F.B.I. agents were immediately skeptical that the men really looked alike.

The New York Times

We see that there is no difference between Figure 1(a) and (b), and they really look alike.

Advances in Difference Equations

And I realized how much we really were alike - Wow!

Huffington Post

However, the two of us are really exactly alike.

Vice

I've never not been aware of the fact that my moms and I don't really look alike, not the way biological families tend to do.

Huffington Post

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Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really alike" when you want to convey a high degree of similarity but avoid implying complete identity. For near-identical matches, consider "virtually identical" or other stronger phrases.

Common error

Avoid using "really alike" as a generic intensifier. Instead, ensure it accurately reflects a genuine and significant similarity between the subjects you are describing. Otherwise, explore synonyms like "very similar" or "closely resemble" to avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really alike" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, where "really" intensifies the adjective "alike". Ludwig examples show its use in emphasizing similarities between different subjects, whether they are people, objects, or concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

12.5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12.5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "really alike" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to emphasize a notable similarity between two or more things. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adverb-adjective combination and serves to highlight shared characteristics. While its register is neutral, making it suitable for diverse contexts like news or casual conversation, more precise language might be preferred in academic writing. Though Ludwig's AI marks it as correct, remember to provide details in writing, instead of relaying on the adjective power only. Related phrases include "very similar" and "strikingly similar", which offer alternative ways to express degrees of likeness. Be cautious of overusing "really alike" as a filler; make sure it accurately reflects a genuine and significant similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very similar

Replaces "really" with "very", intensifying the likeness.

remarkably similar

Emphasizes the similarity as being noteworthy or surprising.

strikingly similar

Highlights the similarity as being immediately noticeable.

quite comparable

Indicates that the items being compared have many similar attributes.

closely resemble

Uses a verb to describe the likeness instead of an adjective.

bear a strong resemblance

Formal phrasing indicating a notable degree of likeness.

virtually identical

Implies an almost perfect likeness with only minor differences.

cut from the same cloth

Idiomatic expression suggesting a shared origin or character.

two peas in a pod

Idiomatic expression indicating extreme likeness, often in personality.

mirror images

Suggests a perfect reflection of one another, very alike in appearance.

FAQs

How can I use "really alike" in a sentence?

You can use "really alike" to emphasize a strong similarity between two or more things. For example, "The two paintings are "really alike" in style and color."

What can I say instead of "really alike"?

You can use alternatives like "very similar", "quite comparable", or "strikingly similar" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "really alike" or "really like"?

"Really alike" is used to describe similarity, while "really like" expresses preference or enjoyment. For example, "They are "really alike"," versus "I "really like" pizza."

What's the difference between "really alike" and "exactly alike"?

"Really alike" indicates a strong resemblance, while "exactly alike" means there are no discernible differences. They are not interchangeable in most contexts as "exactly alike" suggests a higher degree of similarity.