sort of like

USAGE SUMMARY

"sort of like" is a commonly used phrase in written English.
It is generally used to mean "similar to" or "somewhat like." Example: The weather here is sort of like summer in Canada.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Sort of like leprosy.

The New Yorker

It's sort of like goat.

The New York Times - Food

"It's sort of like boxing.

The New Yorker

It's sort of like time travel.

The New Yorker

"It's sort of like love.

The New York Times

Well, sort of like Jesus".

The New York Times - Books

It's sort of like betting.

The New York Times

Sort of like therapy, too".

The New York Times - Arts

Sort of like, well, Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's sort of like shock and awe.

The New York Times - Sports

It's sort of, like, unbelievable".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sort of like" to draw comparisons that are not precise or absolute, allowing for a degree of approximation. This is useful when you want to suggest a similarity without committing to a strict equivalence.

Common error

While "sort of like" is acceptable in informal contexts, avoid it in formal writing where more precise and sophisticated comparisons are expected. Opt for phrases such as "similar to", "analogous to", or "reminiscent of" /s/similar+to, /s/analogous+to, /s/reminiscent+of to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sort of like" primarily functions as a qualifier or hedge when making comparisons. It indicates that the similarity being drawn is not exact or absolute. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase suggests something is similar to or somewhat like something else.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

6%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sort of like" is a common phrase used to indicate a non-exact comparison, functioning as a qualifier or hedge. As per Ludwig, it implies a similarity without asserting a complete equivalence. While grammatically correct, its informality makes it less suitable for formal writing. Ludwig's examples from diverse sources like the New York Times and The Guardian show that this comparative expression is very common in the News & Media and useful for expressing approximations or relatable comparisons in general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kind of like

Shares a similar meaning, indicating a loose comparison or resemblance.

somewhat similar to

Indicates a degree of resemblance, but perhaps not a perfect match.

not unlike

A more subtle way of indicating similarity, implying a resemblance while acknowledging potential differences.

roughly analogous to

Suggests a functional or structural similarity, often used in more formal contexts.

comparable to

Suggests a similarity that allows for comparison, often in terms of specific qualities or characteristics.

reminiscent of

Evokes a memory or feeling of something else, suggesting a likeness in style or atmosphere.

akin to

Indicates a close relationship or similarity in nature or quality.

in a similar vein to

Expresses a similarity in style, approach, or theme.

approximates to

Suggests that something is close to, but not exactly the same as, something else.

bears resemblance to

Highlights the visual or superficial similarities between two things.

FAQs

How can I use "sort of like" in a sentence?

"Sort of like" is used to make a comparison that isn't exact. For example, you might say, "This new phone is "sort of like" a mini-computer because it can do so many things".

What phrases are similar to "sort of like"?

Alternatives to "sort of like" include phrases such as "kind of like", "somewhat similar to", or "reminiscent of", depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "sort of like" in formal writing?

While "sort of like" is common in spoken English, it may be considered too informal for academic or professional writing. In such cases, consider using more precise and formal alternatives like "similar to" or "analogous to".

What's the difference between "sort of like" and "exactly like"?

"Sort of like" implies a degree of similarity that is not perfect or complete. On the other hand, "exactly like" suggests a perfect resemblance. Using "sort of like" indicates that there are some differences, while "exactly like" suggests there are none.