somewhat alike

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat alike" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more things share similarities to a certain degree, but not completely. Example: "The two paintings are somewhat alike in style, but they convey different emotions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

As it happens, they look somewhat alike.

The New York Times - Arts

They're somewhat alike, apart from the difference in their ages.

The Guardian - Books

R. and the white woman even looked somewhat alike.

The New York Times - Magazine

They eat and drink similar foods, and they look somewhat alike.

The New York Times

Although the flowers may look somewhat alike, the plant and foliage is entirely different.

The New York Times

Species constituting the genera of a common family still look somewhat alike because they share an even earlier antecedent.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The two flags are somewhat less alike than those mentioned above, but their shared design of green, white, and orange vertical stripes can be confusing.

Britannica

Destinations by migrant group are somewhat more alike for 35 to 49-year-olds than 20 to 34-year-olds of both sexes in 1981 , 1996and 2006; the opposite held in 1986, while locations were similar across age groups in 2001 and for men in 1991.

IZA Journal of Migration

Nor does the play, whose many characters manage to sound alike: somewhat reasonable, somewhat distanced, and all misunderstanding what they're trying to say even as they say it.

The New Yorker

The movie's dialogue is a bit stark, and the characterizations of heroes and villains alike somewhat threadbare, but the movie is cleverly plotted, and the final twists are deliciously imaginative and chilling.

The New Yorker

But when we consider this statement in the context of the current information ecosystem, replete with manipulative narratives spread by bots and human operators alike, it's somewhat jarring.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat alike", consider adding a qualifier to specify the degree or nature of the similarity (e.g., "somewhat alike in appearance" or "somewhat alike in function").

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat alike" when the items being compared are nearly identical. The phrase implies a discernible difference despite the similarities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat alike" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates that two or more entities share some characteristics but are not entirely identical. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "somewhat alike" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a partial similarity between two or more things. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English to convey that items share certain characteristics but are not entirely the same. This phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific sources, indicating its suitability for a range of contexts while having a neutral tone. When using "somewhat alike", consider clarifying the specific aspects of similarity and be mindful not to use it when items are nearly identical. Alternatives such as "partially similar" or "fairly comparable" can provide more precise nuances depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially similar

Emphasizes that the similarity is not complete, highlighting the presence of differences.

fairly comparable

Suggests a reasonable degree of likeness, enough to make a comparison worthwhile.

somewhat comparable

Similar to "fairly comparable" but slightly weakens the degree of likeness.

moderately similar

Indicates a similarity that is neither strong nor weak, but somewhere in the middle.

kind of alike

More informal, suggesting a casual observation of similarity.

relatively similar

Implies that the similarity exists when compared to a broader context or range of possibilities.

roughly the same

Suggests a basic level of equivalence, though details may differ.

more or less alike

Acknowledges minor differences while affirming a general similarity.

not entirely different

Focuses on the absence of complete dissimilarity, implying a degree of overlap.

resemble each other to some extent

A more formal way of expressing partial similarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat alike" to compare two or more things that share some similarities but are not identical. For example, "The two designs are "somewhat alike" in their use of color, but differ in layout".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "somewhat alike"?

Alternatives to "somewhat alike" include phrases like "partially similar", "fairly comparable", or "moderately similar", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "somewhat alike" or "somewhat similar"?

Both "somewhat alike" and "somewhat similar" are acceptable. "Somewhat similar" may be slightly more common, but the choice often depends on personal preference and the surrounding context.

What is the difference between "somewhat alike" and "exactly alike"?

"Somewhat alike" indicates a partial similarity, suggesting there are also differences. "Exactly alike" means the items are identical in every respect; there are no differences.