somewhat like this

USAGE SUMMARY

"somewhat like this" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something isn't completely like something else, but it is similar. For example, "I want the design to be somewhat like this, but with a few adjustments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

There actually was a conversation that went somewhat like this later in Lewis's stay with us.

The New York Times

"The song went somewhat like this," she said: " 'Janet Reno came to town collecting all the mo-ney / If you don't pay she'll put your blank in jail.' " Chuck Berry was playing on the jukebox.

The New Yorker

Spotify, a rival to iTunes, has a model somewhat like this for its premium service, where it charges a monthly fee for songs without limit.Selling several songs together in a bundle (much like an album) had almost identical results.

The Economist

With Ms. Nelson, Mr. Long said, "I have put down watercolor and thrown some glitter on it, and said to her, 'I want it to be somewhat like this.' " Broadway outfits also have to be able to take a licking.

The New York Times

Proponents construct a scenario somewhat like this: large corporations invest in media outlets.

Forbes

We have had many "setups" that looked somewhat like this, but this one appears different, and comes at a time when the market has many "excuses" to crater.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Rabbits are somewhat like cats in that they clean themselves.

WikiHow

He admitted to somewhat liking their company, and their cuisine.

The New Yorker

Somewhat like the Dream Act, this policy will apply to people no more than 30 years old at the time of the administrative action, who have lived here for five years, do not have criminal records and have earned a high school diploma, remained in school or served in the military.

The New York Times

This sounds somewhat like the kind of cloud-based services increasingly offered by Amazon Web Services, Google and Microsoft.

The New York Times

This is somewhat like the airline that cuts prices to $129 for a flight from Los Angeles to St . Louis yet only 5 of the 130 seats are available at the restricted price.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat like this" to indicate an approximation or similarity, rather than an exact match. This adds nuance to your descriptions and avoids overstating resemblances.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat like this" when the items being compared are nearly identical. Opt for phrases that indicate a closer match, such as "just like this" or "exactly like this".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat like this" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to qualify or describe nouns or ideas by indicating a degree of similarity. As Ludwig AI points out, it suggests an approximation rather than an exact match. The phrase often introduces examples or scenarios for better understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

28%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat like this" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to express an approximate similarity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While versatile, it's important to consider the context; it's most at home in news articles, wiki entries, and academic writing, less so in strictly formal scientific contexts where exactness is crucial. Remember to use it when you want to draw a comparison without implying a perfect match. Alternatives such as "much like this" or "roughly like this" can offer slight variations in meaning, catering to different levels of approximation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much like this

Indicates a stronger degree of similarity than "somewhat like this".

roughly like this

Emphasizes an approximate similarity, focusing on the general form.

almost like this

Highlights that the similarity is near complete, but not exact.

rather like this

Suggests a noticeable similarity, slightly more formal.

just like this

Highlights a high degree of similarity.

something along these lines

Indicates a general similarity in direction or concept.

in a similar fashion

Emphasizes similarity in the manner or method.

analogous to this

Highlights a parallel or comparable relationship.

akin to this

Indicates a resemblance in quality or character.

comparable to this

Highlights the ability to compare due to shared characteristics.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat like this" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat like this" to describe something that shares similarities with a reference point, but isn't an exact copy. For example, "I'd like the design to be "somewhat like this", but with a few changes."

What phrases are similar to "somewhat like this"?

Alternatives include "much like this", "roughly like this", or "almost like this", depending on the degree of similarity you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use "somewhat like this"?

It's best to avoid "somewhat like this" if you're describing something that is virtually identical to something else. In such cases, opt for "exactly like this" or "just like this".

Is "somewhat like this" formal or informal?

The phrase "somewhat like this" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language may be preferred in highly formal settings.