tender like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tender like" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to make a comparison, often describing something that is soft, gentle, or delicate in nature. Example: "The steak was cooked to perfection, tender like butter, melting in my mouth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But be tender like Hank is".

The New York Times

The calçots were sweet and tender, like thin asparagus.

The New York Times - Magazine

The white salmon there is mellow and tender, like a salmon and butter pate.

The New York Times - Food

A man's heart feels "dangerously full, swollen and tender, like a fruit so ripe it threatens to split its skin".

The New Yorker

Why not put internationals in the north up for tender, like the Ashes and the Ryder Cup?

The Guardian - Sport

He's a charming kid, a mix of tough, clueless, and tender, like many a delicate Jewish son aspiring to machismo.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The thick and tender, rope-like tangle of braised, shredded beef in my fat fist of a burrito was excellent.

The Guardian - Travel

Pacas have become scarce or extinct in forests near human settlements, although they are common where not intensively hunted for their tender, veal-like flesh.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Noseda drove the Gloria hard and, after an Et incarnatus est accompanied by tender, birdsong-like flute, the Crucifixus brought jagged chords that jumped out at the listener.

The Guardian - Music

Instead of buying in regular tenders, like SIA, Emirates is taking a more flexible approach, updating its list more frequently — a policy that allows it to offer vintages that are available only in small quantities.

The New York Times

Still, after that soup experience, I thought, why not cook with these things, which behave differently from both tender greens like spinach and tough greens like collards.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tender like", ensure the comparison is clear and relevant to the context. For instance, "The meat was cooked perfectly, tender like butter", effectively conveys the texture.

Common error

Avoid using "tender like" in situations where a direct comparison isn't intended. For example, instead of saying "He felt tender like after the movie", consider "He felt tender after the movie" or "He felt sentimental after the movie".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tender like" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by comparing its tenderness to something else. Ludwig confirms its usability and correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tender like" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative phrase, primarily found in news and media sources. Ludwig confirms that it is usable in written English and is used to describe something that possesses a quality of gentleness, delicacy, or ease of manipulation by comparing it to something else. While alternatives such as "soft as" or "gentle as" exist, "tender like" offers a specific nuance that emphasizes care and fragility in its comparison. Remember to use it in contexts where a direct comparison is intended to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soft as

Emphasizes the softness quality, similar to "tender like" but with a different comparative adjective.

gentle as

Highlights the gentleness aspect, offering a close alternative with a focus on mildness.

delicate as

Focuses on the fineness and fragility, akin to "tender like" but with a nuance of fragility.

smooth like

Highlights the smoothness aspect, providing a similar sensory comparison.

mild as

Emphasizes the lack of harshness, similar to the gentle connotation of "tender like".

yielding like

Focuses on the characteristic of giving way easily under pressure, similar to tenderness.

compassionate as

Highlights a feeling of sympathy and concern, analogous to emotional tenderness.

kind as

Focuses on the aspect of benevolence and care, relating to tenderness in interaction.

loving like

Expresses affection and warmth, similar to the emotional implication of "tender like".

emollient like

Describes something soothing or softening, conveying a sense of gentleness and care.

FAQs

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

You can use "tender like" to compare the quality of something to another thing that is known for its tenderness. For example, "The chicken was so "tender like" it melted in my mouth".

What phrases are similar to "tender like"?

Alternatives include "soft as", "gentle as", or "delicate as" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "tender as" instead of "tender like"?

Yes, "tender as" is a grammatically correct and commonly used alternative to "tender like". Both phrases are used for comparison, but the choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific context.

What does "tender like" imply in a description?

It suggests a quality of gentleness, delicacy, or ease of manipulation, often evoking a sense of care or fragility. The comparison helps the reader understand the specific type of tenderness being described.