which are like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which are like" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence to compare two things that are similar. For example: "Apples and oranges are both fruits, which are like in some ways, but have some significant differences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then came DVD's, which are like VHS tapes -- except, in a major technological leap, they cannot be sampled or bookmarked.

The New York Times - Tech

The specialty is cantucci and cantuccini, which are like biscotti, only softer.

The New York Times - Food

I read a lot of biographies, which are like patient case histories, really.

The New York Times

She designs pajama-type clothing, or what she calls all-in-ones, which are like jumpsuits.

The New York Times

Dolores Mission holds charismatic prayer meetings, which are like Pentecostal services, but Catholic.

The Economist

There are Violet's anecdotes, which are like pages from a case history.

The New Yorker

Maybe Slack is like Morse code versus in-person meetings, which are like written words.

The New York Times - Magazine

Reading the comments, which are like "a wildfire, out of control", she is engulfed by shame.

The Guardian - Books

LocoRoco centers on LocoRocos, which are like happy-face balloons filled with Jell-O.

The New York Times - Tech

They were ordered into their shelters, which are like pup tents made of aluminum.

The New York Times

Garganelli, which are like big penne with a corkscrew twist, came with sausage and porcini.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which are like" to bridge the gap between a complex or unfamiliar term and a common concept your audience already understands. This makes technical writing more accessible and engaging.

Common error

Ensure the verb 'are' matches a plural antecedent. If the noun before the relative clause is singular, you must use "which is like" instead. For example, write 'the machine, which is like...' but 'the tools, "which are like"...'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which are like" serves as a non-restrictive relative clause that introduces a comparison or analogy. It typically follows a plural noun and provides additional descriptive information without limiting the scope of the antecedent. According to Ludwig AI examples, it is frequently used to simplify technical jargon by comparing it to everyday objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which are like" is a highly versatile and correct English phrase that excels at making complex information digestible. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in top-tier publications such as The New York Times and The Economist, where it is used to draw parallels between niche subjects and universal concepts. Whether you are describing "water budgets", "snow coaches", or "digital audio tapes", this phrase acts as a linguistic bridge that helps the reader visualize and understand new ideas. Writers should simply be mindful of subject-verb agreement and ensure they use a comma before the phrase to maintain its non-restrictive function.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which are similar to

A direct synonym that is slightly more formal and precise

which resemble

Uses a more formal verb to indicate physical or structural similarity

which are analogous to

Highly formal academic alternative used in scientific contexts

that are similar to

Replaces the non-restrictive which with a restrictive that

akin to

A more concise and literary prepositional phrase

not unlike

A litotes that emphasizes the similarity through negation

comparable to

Suggests that the two things can be measured against each other

which function as

Focuses on shared utility rather than just appearance

paralleling

Suggests a similarity in development or trajectory

reminiscent of

Implies that the subject reminds the observer of something else

FAQs

How to use "which are like" in a sentence?

You can use "which are like" to introduce a comparison after a plural noun. For example: "The researchers found new minerals, "which are like" tiny crystals buried in the crust."

What can I say instead of "which are like"?

Depending on the level of formality you need, you can use alternatives like "which resemble", "which are similar to", or "akin to".

Is "which are like" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. As noted in the Ludwig AI analysis, it is a standard relative clause used for non-restrictive comparisons and is widely used in professional journalism.

What is the difference between "which are like" and "that are like"?

The main difference is punctuation and emphasis. Use "which are like" with a comma for extra information that isn't essential to the sentence's core meaning. Use "that are like" without a comma when the comparison is necessary to identify which specific items you are talking about.