relatively alike

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relatively alike" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more things that are similar to each other to a certain degree, but not identical. Example: "The two paintings are relatively alike in style, showcasing similar color palettes and brush techniques."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Their visual-spatial memory and spatial orientation skills are also relatively alike while their mental rotation skills differ significantly.

Smart Learning Environments

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The price of borrowing money remains near historical lows, giving corporate buyers and private equity firms alike relatively low costs for acquisitions.

The New York Times

I was serving as the Youth Advisor at the U.S. Agency for International Development when the Arab Spring exploded, and I watched as the U.S. Government and civil society alike froze, relatively paralyzed in their ability to help the progressive, democratic forces fighting for their rights across the Middle East.

Huffington Post

For the most part, predicativists and meta-linguistic descriptivists alike have had relatively little to say about either of these aspects of their theory.

SEP

For multi-drug resistant inpatient and outpatient MRSA alike there are relatively few agents that maintained high levels of activity (Table 4).

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

On his second album Troubadour, K'naan chooses a different city to reference on this song, a relatively unsung favourite among fans and critics alike inspired by Somali folk singer Fatima Abdillahi Mandeeq.

The Guardian

The Daktory was well known to police and the general public alike, but it had a relatively untroubled existence until 2012.

Vice

These mRNAs then should display an anti-correlation with high mRNAs but relatively low protein levels under all conditions alike, stressed or non-stressed control conditions.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

Compared to heroin and cocaine, many people--scientists and teenagers alike--consider marijuana a relatively benign substance.

Science Magazine

The fact is that the wreck is a relatively safe dive for beginners, intermediates and experts alike.

The New York Times - Sports

The change is part of the state's shift to high-security digital licenses, which are scheduled to replace New Jersey's laminated paper form -- relatively easy for potential terrorists and underage drinkers alike to forge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relatively alike", ensure the context provides a clear basis for comparison. What specific aspects are similar?

Common error

Avoid using "relatively alike" when the items being compared are nearly identical. In such cases, simpler terms like "similar" or "identical" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively alike" functions as an adverbial modifier specifying the degree to which two or more entities share similar qualities. Ludwig AI confirms that it suggests a partial or incomplete similarity, rather than complete identity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "relatively alike" serves to describe items or concepts that share similarities without being identical. Grammatically correct and versatile, it finds use across diverse fields like science and news media. Ludwig AI confirms that it is appropriate for situations where you want to emphasize both the resemblances and the differences. The examples, analyzed by Ludwig, illustrate its nuanced application, guiding you in its proper usage. When aiming for precision and clarity, "relatively alike" offers a valuable tool in your writing arsenal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat similar

Emphasizes a moderate degree of similarity.

fairly comparable

Indicates a reasonable level of comparison can be made.

kind of similar

Suggests a casual and approximate similarity.

moderately alike

Uses a more formal tone to express a medium level of similarity.

partially the same

Highlights that only some aspects are similar.

roughly equivalent

Implies a practical or functional similarity rather than an exact one.

approximating each other

Focuses on the process of becoming more similar over time or in certain aspects.

bearing resemblance

Emphasizes a visual or superficial similarity.

akin to each other

Suggests a connection or relatedness beyond simple similarity.

have something in common

Indicates a shared attribute or characteristic.

FAQs

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

Use "relatively alike" to describe things that share similarities but aren't completely identical. For example: "Their approaches to the problem were "relatively alike", although some key differences existed".

What are some alternatives to "relatively alike"?

Alternatives include "somewhat similar", "fairly comparable", or "kind of similar". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "relatively alike"?

Yes, "relatively alike" is grammatically correct. It's a valid way to express that two or more things have similarities but are not exactly the same.

What is the difference between "relatively alike" and "exactly the same"?

"Relatively alike" implies partial similarity, whereas "exactly the same" indicates complete identity. Use "relatively alike" when you want to acknowledge similarities while still recognizing differences.