was similar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was similar" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe a comparison between two similar things. For example: "The boy's handwriting was similar to his father's."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Egypt was similar.

The New Yorker

The result was similar.

The Economist

His sculpture was similar.

The Guardian

Kids Company was similar.

The Guardian

Torres's attitude was similar.

The Guardian - Sport

The response was similar.

The New Yorker

"Last year was similar.

The Guardian - Sport

Yashin's reaction was similar.

The New York Times - Sports

The response was similar, too.

The New York Times

Online, the sentiment was similar.

The New York Times

His treatment was similar, too.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When the things being compared have already been mentioned, "was similar" can stand alone at the end of a clause to provide summary or closure.

Common error

A frequent error is using 'with' or 'as' after "was similar". In standard English, comparisons of likeness require the preposition 'to'. For example, avoid saying 'The car was similar with mine' and instead use 'The car was similar to mine'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was similar" functions as a linking verb ('was') paired with a predicate adjective ('similar'). It is used to describe the state or quality of the subject by comparing it to something else, either explicitly mentioned later or implied by the context. According to Ludwig, this structure is standard and highly versatile.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Professional

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was similar" is a robust and grammatically correct way to indicate likeness between two subjects. Verified by Ludwig AI and supported by dozens of examples from elite publications, it is particularly useful in scientific reporting to show consistency in data (e.g. 'Mortality was similar') and in journalism to compare current events to historical ones. While very common and reliable, writers should remember to use the preposition 'to' for comparisons and may occasionally opt for more active synonyms like "resembled" to vary their sentence structure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resembled

Uses a single active verb instead of a linking verb and adjective.

was comparable

Suggests that the two things are of a similar enough standard to be measured against each other.

was alike

A simpler, more informal alternative used to describe general appearance or nature.

bore a resemblance

A more descriptive and slightly more formal way to state that something looks like something else.

was akin to

Slightly more literary and often used to show a family-like or inherent relationship between ideas.

paralleled

Indicates that two events or trends occurred in a similar way or followed the same path.

was analogous

More formal and technical, typically used in academic or scientific contexts to show structural similarity.

mirrored

Suggests a very close, often identical reflection of one thing in another.

matched

Implies a higher degree of exactness or a perfect correspondence between traits.

was consistent with

Used when the similarity relates to data, patterns or expectations.

FAQs

How do I use "was similar" in a sentence?

You can use it to compare two things, such as in the sentence 'His reaction was similar to mine'. It is also common in technical writing, as seen in Ludwig examples like 'Mortality "was similar"'.

What is the difference between "was similar" and "was the same"?

While "was similar" means two things share common traits but are not identical, "was the same" indicates that they are identical in every respect.

Is "was similar" formal enough for research papers?

Yes, it is widely used in academic and scientific journals like ScienceDirect and PlosOne to report consistent findings across different study groups.

Can I use "resembled" instead of "was similar"?

Yes, you can use "resembled" as a more concise and active alternative, especially in descriptive or narrative writing.