"similar to" vs "in a similar way to"

Question

"similar to" vs "in a similar way to"

Both "similar to" and "in a similar way to" are correct phrases that can be used interchangeably. They both convey the idea of something being alike or comparable to something else.

Last Updated: March 23, 2024

When comparing two things that are alike but not identical, use "similar to."

(When contrasting two things, use "different from.")

Explanation provided by a TextRanch English expert

Some examples from our editors:

He tried a custard that was similar to flan.
The free app was downloaded millions of times because it was similar to a popular paid app.
The two products looked similar to each other, but one was actually a cheap knockoff.

Some alternatives from our editors:

A is like B
A and B are alike
A and B are comparable
A is comparable to B
A resembles B

This phrase is also used to compare two things that are alike or have common characteristics, but it is more formal and less common in everyday language.

Examples:

She solved the problem in a similar way to her colleague.
The company operates in a similar way to its competitors.
The artist paints in a similar way to the famous painter.
The team approached the project in a similar way to the previous one.
The new product is marketed in a similar way to the old one.

Alternatives:

similar to
like
akin to
comparable to
bearing resemblance to

Answer 1

similar to

This is correct

Answer 2

in a similar way to

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English compared to "similar to".

"similar to" vs "in a similar way to"

similar to

in a similar way to

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