Cool MateAlike vs Same
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Alike
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
Same
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Most common: Same
| Alike | Same | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈlaɪk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈlaɪk/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/seɪm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/seɪm/"]/ |
| Meaning | similar or the same as something else | identical or not different |
| Example | They tried to treat all their children alike. | We both wore the same dress to the party. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adjective |
| Collocations | look alike, feel alike, sound alike, think alike | be, feel, look, exactly, just, precisely, as, one and the same, be, feel, look, exactly, just, precisely, as, one and the same |
| Antonyms | different, unlike | different, distinct, dissimilar |
| Common mistakes | 'Alike' used for more than two subjects (e.g., 'The three cars look alike' is correct, but 'The car and the bike are alike'.), Confusing 'alike' with 'like' in different sentence structures., 'Alike' often misused in the passive voice. | Using 'same' instead of 'similar' when things aren't identical., Saying 'the same' without a noun, like 'the same as' instead of 'the same thing as'., 'Same' used incorrectly with plural nouns, e.g., 'the same apples'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'alike' to show similarity between two objects or subjects. Avoid in formal writing; 'similar' is preferred in those contexts. | Use 'same' to describe two or more things that are identical. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written English but can be overly repetitive in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Alike vs Same
What's the difference between Alike and Same?
Alike: similar or the same as something else Same: identical or not different
Which is more common: Alike and Same?
Same is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Alike and Same?
Alike is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Alike and Same the same CEFR level?
Alike: C1, Same: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Alike and Same?
Alike: adverb, Same: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Alike: They tried to treat all their children alike. Same: We both wore the same dress to the party.
Can I use Alike and Same interchangeably?
Not always. Alike and Same are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.