were like this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were like this" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a past state or condition, often in a comparative context. Example: "The documents from last year were like this, showing a clear trend in our sales data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Europeans were like: 'This is it.' And I thought, 'Why have we changed it so much?

The Guardian - Music

"People were like: 'This never happens.

The New York Times

"We were, like, 'This is a musician!

The New Yorker

"His shoes were like this".

The New York Times - Arts

I wish more museums were like this.

The Guardian - Travel

"We were like, 'This is very lukewarm.

The Washington Post

All our conversations were like this.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

They were like, 'this is weird, but we'll look into it.' .

TechCrunch

Prince Harry said: "Obviously the papers back home were like 'this is all against me'.

BBC

They were like, 'this kid's a little git, let's move him on.

BBC

Then suddenly you'd be tripping balls and you were like this is not 5 mg".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were like this" to draw comparisons or illustrate similarities, making your descriptions more vivid and relatable for the reader.

Common error

While "were like this" is acceptable in informal contexts, consider using more formal alternatives such as "were similar to this" or "were of this nature" in academic or professional writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were like this" primarily functions as a descriptive element, drawing a comparison between the subject and a previously mentioned or understood condition. Ludwig's examples show its versatility in depicting states, conditions, or characteristics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were like this" is a common and grammatically correct way to draw comparisons and describe similarities. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is widely used in news and media to relate information to a known context. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral to informal settings, with more formal options available for academic or professional writing. The phrase's frequency and clarity make it a valuable tool in descriptive writing, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right register for your intended audience. Based on Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were similar to this

Replaces 'like' with 'similar to', emphasizing resemblance.

were in this condition

Focuses on the state or condition being described.

were in this manner

Uses 'manner' to indicate a specific way of being.

were of this type

Highlights the categorization or type of something.

were such as this

Formal alternative indicating the characteristics being shown.

were akin to this

Uses 'akin' to suggest a close relationship or similarity.

were comparable to this

Emphasizes the comparability between items.

were resembling this

Focuses on the visual similarity.

were identical to this

Highlights the exact match with something.

were analogous to this

Uses 'analogous' to point out a parallel or similarity in function.

FAQs

What does "were like this" mean?

The phrase "were like this" is used to indicate a similarity or comparison to something that has been described or demonstrated. It implies that something shared similar characteristics or conditions.

How can I use "were like this" in a sentence?

You can use "were like this" to describe a past state or condition. For example: "The documents from last year "were like this", showing a clear trend in our sales data."

What can I say instead of "were like this"?

You can use alternatives like "were similar to this", "were in this manner", or "were of this type" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was like this" instead of "were like this"?

No, "was like this" is used with singular subjects, while ""were like this"" is used with plural subjects or with the pronoun 'you'. For instance, "The document was like this" (singular) versus "The documents "were like this"" (plural).