alike

When things or people are similar, we say that they are "alike." Watch the video below:

Lemons and limes are similar in some ways. They are both sour and they have similar shapes. However, a lemon is yellow and a lime is green. They also have a slightly different taste.

lemons	limes

Lemons and limes are alike.

You can also use "like" when making comparisons, but pay attention to the word order.

• Dogs are like wolves.
• Dogs and wolves are alike.
• A pencil is like a pen.
• A pencil and a pen are alike.
• A bush is like a tree.
• A bush and a tree are alike.

You can use "alike" if the differences are small. If the differences are large, use "not" in front of "alike."

• Those two people are not alike. One is very tall and the other is very short.
• A watermelon and a cherry are not alike. They are two very different pieces of fruit.
• A car is not like a bus at all. One is used for personal transportation while the other is used for mass transit.

You can also use the prefix "un."

• Those two people are unalike.
• A watermelon and a cherry are unalike.
• A car and a bus are unalike.

Note: If you have to make the negative, it’s easier to use "not."

Click here to go to the Word of the Day page.

November 11, 2011