something like what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something like what" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used when trying to express a comparison or similarity to something previously mentioned, but it is often better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "I was thinking of something like what you suggested, but with a different approach."

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Follow-up with something like, "What writing assignments are you working on?" More than likely, this will spark a conversation.

WikiHow

Clark said something like "What?

The New Yorker

"He'd say something like 'What this company needs is sales.

The New Yorker

These days, though, a guru figure is something like what Lanier has become.

The New Yorker

"I want to do something like what they do at NASA," she said.

The New York Times

It must have sounded to him — who knows? — something like what would later be called grunge.

The New York Times

What you had to do was something like what Freud did.

The New Yorker

And would go to the trouble of setting up something like what Citi has organized?

The New York Times

Now it can, and should, mean something like what happened over the weekend at Harlem Stage Gatehouse.

The New York Times - Arts

"We were worried that something like what happened in Cairo would take place, but the people took the proper steps.

The New York Times

We landed under searingly vivid skies, something like what the blue tablet from a packet of Easter dye lets off.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "something like what" is understandable, aim for conciseness. Consider using "similar to" or "akin to" for a more direct comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "something like what" excessively in formal writing. It can sound redundant. Rephrase for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something like what" functions as a qualifier, indicating that what follows is an approximation, comparison, or example. It introduces a degree of vagueness or similarity to a previously mentioned idea. The data provided by Ludwig suggests it's common in conversational and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something like what" is a commonly used phrase to indicate similarity, approximation, or comparison. As seen in Ludwig's data, it frequently appears in news and media contexts. While grammatically acceptable, it can sometimes be verbose, and more concise alternatives like "similar to that" or "akin to that" may be preferable. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase carries a neutral register, fitting for general communication but potentially less suitable for highly formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similar to that

Focuses on similarity but uses a demonstrative pronoun.

much like that

Highlights a strong degree of similarity.

akin to that

Emphasizes a closer, more inherent resemblance using 'akin'.

resembling that

Highlights the act of resembling, a visual or superficial similarity.

along the lines of that

Suggests a general direction or concept rather than exact replication.

in that vein

Implies a similarity in style, manner, or approach.

comparable to that

Emphasizes the ability to compare and find similarities.

in the same manner

Focuses on the similarity of method or execution.

of that nature

Describes something as belonging to the same category or type.

on that order

Indicates a similar scale, magnitude, or degree.

FAQs

How can I use "something like what" in a sentence?

You can use "something like what" to indicate similarity or approximation. For example, "I'm looking for something like what you described."

What are some alternatives to "something like what"?

Consider using phrases like "similar to that", "akin to that", or "resembling that" for a more concise expression.

Is "something like what" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "something like what" can be seen as verbose. It doesn't violate grammar rules, but more concise alternatives often improve clarity.

In what contexts is "something like what" most appropriate?

"Something like what" is most often found in informal conversation or news articles. For formal writing, consider "comparable to that".