soft like

USAGE SUMMARY

"soft like" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to compare one thing to another. For example: "The pillow was soft like marshmallows."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

For example, his hands are very soft, like woman's.

The New Yorker

Still soft, like wet wool.

The New Yorker

It was soft, like a cherub's.

The New York Times - Magazine

Her face was soft, like flower petals.

The New Yorker

We're not soft, like we used to be.

The New York Times - Sports

It was elegant and soft, like his clothes.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Football has become soft, like our country has become soft," Trump said.

The New Yorker

"His hair was indescribable, unkempt but soft like a child's," Collins notes of Bob Dylan.

The New York Times - Books

I ran my fingers over his chest, which felt soft, like human skin.

The New Yorker

Her bare belly was soft like a cushion of bread dough in his hand.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It oscillates loud-soft, loud-soft, like a swing approaching-receding, approaching-receding.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "soft like" to create vivid comparisons and appeal to the reader's sense of touch. For example, "The cashmere sweater felt soft like a cloud."

Common error

While "soft like" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound simplistic. In formal contexts, consider more sophisticated comparisons or descriptive adjectives to convey softness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "soft like" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe a quality of something by comparing it to something else known for its softness. Ludwig shows examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "soft like" is a common and grammatically sound construction used for comparisons. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively conveys a sense of touch by relating an object or feeling to something known for its softness. While versatile, it's most prevalent in news media and informal contexts and should be used judiciously in formal writing to avoid sounding simplistic. Consider alternatives like "gentle as" or "smooth like" for enhanced sophistication in formal registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gentle as

Replaces 'soft' with 'gentle', focusing on a delicate quality.

smooth like

Substitutes 'soft' with 'smooth', highlighting a sleek texture.

tender like

Replaces 'soft' with 'tender', often used in emotional or physical contexts.

delicate as

Substitutes 'soft' with 'delicate', emphasizing fragility and refinement.

mild as

Replaces 'soft' with 'mild', indicating a gentle or subdued quality.

light like

Substitutes 'soft' with 'light', focusing on the absence of weight or intensity.

calm as

Replaces 'soft' with 'calm', used in descriptions of emotional states or environments.

as pliable as

Uses 'pliable' instead of 'soft', highlighting the ability to bend easily.

as yielding as

Employs 'yielding' instead of 'soft', emphasizing the ability to give way under pressure.

as cushiony as

Uses 'cushiony' instead of 'soft', stressing comfort and padding.

FAQs

How can I use "soft like" in a sentence?

Use "soft like" to compare the texture of something to another object known for its softness. For example, "Her skin was "soft like" velvet."

What are some alternatives to "soft like"?

You can use phrases such as "gentle as", "smooth like", or "tender like" depending on the context.

Is "soft like" grammatically correct?

Yes, "soft like" is grammatically correct and commonly used in descriptive writing to make comparisons.

What is the difference between "soft like" and "as soft as"?

"Soft like" is a more informal comparison, while "as soft as" is slightly more formal. Both serve the same purpose of comparing the softness of two things.