the alike

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the alike' is not correct or usable in written English.
It should be 'alike' or 'the same'. For example: The two bears were alike in many ways.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was the N9, not the N8.

The New York Times

In the '90s, the Dept.

The New Yorker

First, the 35 m.p.g.

The New York Times

The 5s' flagship feature?

The New York Times

Forget about the 10.

The New York Times

Take the "3" part.

The New Yorker

The 1 deg.

The New Yorker

The 24-hour breakfasts?

The Economist

The 33-carat one.

The New York Times

It was the '70s.

The New York Times

Thus the F12 TdF.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "the alike" in formal or informal writing. Opt for "alike" or "the same" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

A common mistake is adding a definite article before adjectives used to describe similarity. Remember that "alike" functions as an adjective itself and doesn't require "the".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the alike" is grammatically incorrect and does not function in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is not considered usable in written English and suggests using "alike" or "the same" instead.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the alike" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. Ludwig AI flags the phrase as incorrect, suggesting alternatives such as "alike" or "the same". Its non-standard nature makes it unsuitable for professional, academic, and news contexts. Remember to use "alike" without the article "the" to correctly express similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alike

This is the correct form to express similarity, omitting the unnecessary article "the".

the same

Replaces "alike" with a more common synonym that also expresses identical qualities or characteristics.

similar

Indicates resemblance without implying exact identity.

identical

Suggests a perfect match or correspondence in every detail.

of a kind

Implies that items or individuals share fundamental characteristics.

cut from the same cloth

An idiomatic expression indicating shared qualities or origins.

birds of a feather

Another idiomatic phrase suggesting shared interests or characteristics.

like one another

Emphasizes the reciprocal similarity between two or more entities.

comparable

Highlights the ability to compare items due to shared features or qualities.

matching

Suggests that items are designed to coordinate or correspond in appearance or function.

FAQs

Is "the alike" grammatically correct?

No, "the alike" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is simply "alike". You can also use alternatives like "the same".

What does it mean when things are "alike"?

When things are "alike", it means they share similar qualities or characteristics. It implies a degree of resemblance or correspondence between them.

How can I use "alike" in a sentence?

You can use "alike" to describe how two or more things are similar. For example: "The twins are very alike". Alternatively, you could say "similar".

What are some alternatives to using "alike"?

Some alternatives to using "alike" include "the same", "similar", or "identical", depending on the context.