BE + like + NOUN PHRASE

Comparative clauses using ‘be’ + ‘like’ + a noun phrase are a way to make comparisons or draw similarities between two things. The structure is typically: subject + be + like + noun/pronoun.  In this structure like” is a preposition meaning “similar to“.

Here’s an example: “John is like a lion.” In this sentence, we’re comparing John to a lion, suggesting that John has qualities or characteristics that are similar to a lion. This could imply that John is brave, strong, or fierce, just like a lion.

Another example could be: “Her singing is like an angel’s.” Here, we’re comparing her singing to the singing of an angel, implying that her singing is very beautiful or heavenly.

Remember, the noun phrase after ‘like’ is what you’re comparing the subject to. It’s a simple and effective way to make comparisons in English.

EXPERT EXAMPLES:

A classics department without Latin and Greek is like a math department without multiplication and division,

or an art department without paint.

theatlantic.com

How many people are like you? Are like me?

 


Profiling Research

In the English Grammar Profile, A2 point 19 in the category of CLAUSES/comparatives is defined:

‘BE’ + ‘like’ + noun or pronoun

*Note that other verbs of the senses with this stucture are considered B1.

We also believe that if negation or adverbs are found in the structure followed by an infinitive clause it should be considered B2, similar to the point found in the English Vocabulary Profile for ‘like’:

B2 typical or characteristic of

It would be just like him to forget his keys at home.

Forgetting his keys at home would be typical or expected behavior for him.

It‘s not like you to be late for work.
Finally, we can guess that a gerund in the noun or pronoun position should be considered more complex, possibly B1:
Learning to code is like trying to learn a new language.

When I saw the test results, I was like, ‘I can’t believe I aced it!’

Note that  the phrase “I was like” is used to express a reaction or feeling. It’s a colloquial way to indicate what the speaker thought, felt, or how they reacted at a particular moment. In this case, it’s used to convey surprise and disbelief at the speaker’s own success on the test. The phrase is often used in informal spoken English. It’s equivalent to saying “I thought to myself” or “my reaction was”. So, the sentence could also be understood as “When I saw the test results, I couldn’t believe that I had aced it!”.


A search in iWeb for:

_VB like_II _P

1 ARE LIKE ME 7752
2 ‘RE LIKE ME 7377
3 ‘S LIKE YOU 4506
4 BE LIKE HIM 2401
5 BE LIKE YOU 2118
6 BE LIKE ME 1971
7 IS LIKE NOTHING 1814

*Notice that  this attracts negation with adverbs and the perfect.

I mean,

 it is like nothing you have ever seen!

listen

8 BE LIKE THEM 1728
9 ‘S LIKE IT 1684
10 IS LIKE YOU 1484
11 WAS LIKE YOU 1197
12 WAS LIKE NOTHING 1073

California was like nothing I‘d ever seen before.

listen

13 WAS LIKE IT 1029
14 ‘RE LIKE US 985
15 IS LIKE IT 967
16 ARE LIKE US 917
17 WAS LIKE SOMETHING 854
18 ‘S LIKE SOMEONE 821
19 WAS LIKE SOMEONE 810
20 IS LIKE ME 810

_NN

1 IS LIKE NIGHT 637 (and day)
2 WAS LIKE NIGHT 401
3 WAS LIKE CHRISTMAS 385
4 ‘S LIKE CHRISTMAS 329
5 IS LIKE CHRISTMAS 304

_VB like_II * * *

1 ‘RE LIKE ME, YOU 2257
2 WAS LIKE, ‘I 1726
3 WAS LIKE, ‘OH 1531
4 ARE LIKE ME, YOU 1465
5 WAS LIKE, ”OH 1456
6 WAS LIKE, ”I 1328
7 ‘RE LIKE MOST PEOPLE, 911
8 IS LIKE NO OTHER. 889
9 WAS LIKE, ‘WHAT 783
10 WAS LIKE, ”WHAT 733
11 WAS LIKE, ‘YOU 621
12 ARE LIKE MOST PEOPLE, 597
13 IS LIKE NIGHT AND DAY 590
14 BE LIKE, ”OH 537
15 IS LIKE THAT OF A 529
16 WAS LIKE, ”YOU 489
17 IS LIKE A BOX OF 483
18 ‘RE LIKE ME AND YOU 471
19 WAS LIKE, ‘THIS 453
20 WAS LIKE, ”OKAY 448

We had AI complete the sentences using the given corpus data:

  1. If you’re like me, you enjoy a good book on a rainy day.
  2. When I saw the test results, I was like, ‘I can’t believe I aced it!’
  3. When he proposed to me, I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, is this really happening?’
  4. If you are like me, you prefer coffee over tea in the morning.
  5. When the surprise party was revealed, I was like, “Oh wow! I didn’t see this coming.”
  6. When I finished the marathon, I was like, “I can’t believe I did it!”
  7. If you’re like most people, you probably check your phone first thing in the morning.
  8. This experience is like no other. It’s truly unique and unforgettable.
  9. When they asked me to speak at the event, I was like, ‘What? Me? Really?’
  10. When they announced the winner, I was like, “What? How is that possible?”
  11. When she told me her secret, I was like, ‘You have to be kidding!’
  12. If you are like most people, you probably enjoy a good laugh.
  13. The difference between their attitudes is like night and day.
  14. If I were to react to that news, I’d be like, “Oh wow! That’s amazing!”
  15. His dedication to his work is like that of a true professional.
  16. When they told me about the trip, I was like, “You guys are going without me?”
  17. Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get.
  18. If you’re like me and you love adventure, then hiking is a great activity for you.
  19. When I saw the mess in the kitchen, I was like, ‘This is going to take forever to clean.’
  20. When they asked if I could work on Saturday, I was like, “Okay, I guess I can.”

_VB _RR like_II * _TO

1 IS MUCH LIKE TRYING TO 34
2 IS RATHER LIKE TRYING TO 28
3 ‘S ALMOST LIKE TRYING TO 23
4 IS MORE LIKE TRYING TO 21
5 IS JUST LIKE TRYING TO 20
6 ‘S JUST LIKE TRYING TO 16
7 IS ALMOST LIKE TRYING TO 16
8 IS JUST LIKE LEARNING TO 13
9 IS OFTEN LIKE TRYING TO 12
10 WAS MORE LIKE TRYING TO 12
11 BE JUST LIKE HIM TO 11
12 WAS ALMOST LIKE TRYING TO 9
13 IS BASICALLY LIKE TRYING TO 9
14 ‘S RATHER LIKE TRYING TO 8
15 ‘S MUCH LIKE TRYING TO 8

Completed by AI:

  1. Learning to code is much like trying to learn a new language.
  2. Understanding quantum physics is rather like trying to comprehend the vastness of the universe.
  3. It’s almost like trying to find a needle in a haystack when looking for a specific book in the library without a catalog.
  4. Convincing my cat to take a bath is more like trying to negotiate with a stubborn toddler.
  5. Learning to cook from scratch is just like trying to master a new art form.
  6. It’s just like trying to solve a complex puzzle when you’re dealing with network issues.
  7. Explaining the concept of time to a child is almost like trying to describe colors to someone who was born blind.
  8. Mastering the art of painting is just like learning to see the world from different perspectives.
  9. Life is often like trying to sail in a stormy sea, unpredictable and challenging.
  10. Climbing that mountain was more like trying to conquer my own fears than reaching the peak.
  11. It would be just like him to forget his keys at home.
  12. It was almost like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands, that’s how elusive the solution seemed at first.
  13. Playing chess is basically like trying to anticipate your opponent’s every move.
  14. It’s rather like trying to piece together a jigsaw puzzle without the picture on the box when you’re starting a business without a plan.
  15. It’s much like trying to drive in dense fog, that’s how confusing navigating the healthcare system can be sometimes.

_VB _XX like_II * _TO

1 ‘S NOT LIKE ME TO 35
2 ‘S NOT LIKE YOU TO 31
3 ‘S NOT LIKE TRYING TO 22
4 ‘S NOT LIKE HIM TO 18
5 ‘S NOT LIKE HER TO 11
6 ‘S NOT LIKE HAVING TO 11
7 IS NOT LIKE ME TO 11
8 WAS NOT LIKE HER TO 10
9 WASN’T LIKE HIM TO 10
10 WASN’T LIKE HER TO 10
11 WAS NOT LIKE HIM TO 9
12 ISN’T LIKE TRYING TO 9
13 IS NOT LIKE YOU TO 9
14 IS NOT LIKE TRYING TO 8
15 IS NOT LIKE HIM TO 8

Completed by AI:

  1. It’s not like me to forget an appointment.
  2. It‘s not like you to be late for work.
  3. It’s not like trying to find a needle in a haystack; it’s much easier than that.
  4. It’s not like him to miss a deadline.
  5. It’s not like her to skip a meal.
  6. It’s not like having to climb a mountain; it’s just a small hill.
  7. It is not like me to lose my temper.
  8. It was not like her to ignore my calls.
  9. It wasn’t like him to leave without saying goodbye.
  10. It wasn’t like her to be so quiet during the meeting.
  11. It was not like him to be so careless with his work.
  12. It isn’t like trying to solve a complex math problem; it’s quite straightforward.
  13. It is not like you to forget your responsibilities.
  14. It is not like trying to run a marathon; it’s just a short sprint.
  15. It is not like him to be so disorganized.

Also note that there are many examples of a following clause that should be considered as higher complexity.

I meanit‘s like he cast a spell over the entire area.

Bernie


Also note this entry in the English Vocabulary Profile:

What is sb/sth like? = A2 something you say when you want someone to describe someone or something

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