vivid like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vivid like" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or incomplete.
It can be used when making a comparison to describe something that is bright, clear, or striking, but it typically requires additional context or a noun to follow. Example: "The sunset was vivid like a painting, with colors that seemed to leap off the canvas."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Could both these novels, in terms of setting, be more impressionistic and vivid, like those years are?

The New York Times - Books

Not a sliver of something gauzy above narrow, vertical avenues, but a big sky, clear and vivid, like they brag about in Montana (or maybe New Jersey).

The New York Times

The flavors and the colors are vivid, like the block of candied grapefruit that her deeply religious grandmother keeps hidden in a closet.

The New York Times - Books

All those things were so vivid, like it's just getting back to me like in Technicolor.

TechCrunch

Angelou has never been one for florid prose, and here she maintains a precise and economical style which makes these bleak moments more vivid, like a film from which you can't look away".

Wikipedia

A Republican Talking Point is built on an intensely emotional image, one designed to lodge itself in your mind just because it's so vivid, like, say, "death panels". That this image it is false only makes it more powerful: outrageousness gives it an extra charge.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Further along, past shop fronts daubed with vivid, cartoon-like street art in the shape of monsters, L'Assassino (00 46 311 41512; lassassino.com; closed Sundays) serves the biggest prawn sandwiches this side of heaven.

Independent

But the stories take on a life of their own, both onstage, where they are enacted in vivid, cartoon-like sequences, and in the outside world, where someone seems to be carrying out the lurid and ingenious murders they describe.

The New Yorker

The steel shelves in her Berlin studio are filled with the ceramics, textiles and glassware she has designed in vivid, jewel-like hues of red, pink, green, blue and brown.

The New York Times - Arts

The vivid lunar-like landscape of Parys Mountain in Ynys Mon, with its old copper workings, is unforgettable.

BBC

In these photographs, the incandescence of cities and man-made structures is hyperbolized by vivid, laser-like hues.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vivid like", ensure that the comparison is clear and adds impact. For instance, "The sunset was vivid like a painting, with colors that seemed to leap off the canvas."

Common error

Avoid using "vivid like" without a clear object of comparison. Saying "The memory was vivid like..." leaves the reader hanging. Always complete the thought for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vivid like" primarily functions as an adjectival modifier, creating a comparison to emphasize the intensity or clarity of something. Ludwig provides examples where it is used to describe settings, memories, and images, enhancing their impact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Wiki

16.66%

Science

16.66%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vivid like" serves to intensify descriptions through comparison, though it's most effective when followed by a clear object. It's deemed acceptable by Ludwig, though alternatives such as "as vivid as" might offer greater grammatical precision. Its usage spans various contexts, notably appearing in News & Media and Wiki, with a neutral register. When employing this phrase, ensure the comparison enhances clarity and avoids incompleteness to maximize its descriptive impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as vivid as

Emphasizes the intensity and clarity of the comparison, replacing 'like' with 'as'.

with the vividness of

Highlights the vividness as a characteristic.

vivid in the manner of

Introduces a more formal tone while still maintaining the essence of the comparison.

strikingly similar to

Emphasizes the similarity and the striking nature of the comparison.

resembling vividly

Shifts the focus to resemblance and uses 'vividly' to modify the verb.

evocative of

Highlights the power to evoke strong images or feelings.

reminiscent of

Implies a sense of recall and similarity.

as bright as

Focuses specifically on the brightness aspect of vividness.

clear like

Emphasizes the clarity aspect of vividness.

intense like

Focuses on the intensity aspect of vividness.

FAQs

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

"Vivid like" is used to compare something to another thing that is striking or clear. For example, "The scene was "vivid like a dream", filled with surreal colors and impossible shapes."

What are some alternatives to saying "vivid like"?

You can use alternatives such as "as vivid as", "resembling vividly", or "with the vividness of" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "vivid like"?

While not incorrect, "vivid like" can sometimes sound incomplete. It's often better to use phrases "as vivid as" or provide a clear object of comparison to enhance clarity and impact.

How does "vivid like" compare to "vivid as"?

Both phrases make a comparison. "Vivid as" is generally considered more grammatically standard and direct. "Vivid like" requires additional context to feel complete, such as "vivid like a painting".