Cool MateLikewise vs Similarly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Likewise
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Similarly
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
| Likewise | Similarly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈlaɪkwaɪz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈlaɪkwaɪz/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪmələli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪmələrli/"]/ |
| Meaning | In the same way; also. | In the same way or manner. |
| Example | He voted for the change and he expected his colleagues to **do likewise**. | It is a little cheaper than other similarly sized cars. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | likewise agree, likewise important, likewise similar | similarly structured, similarly situated, similarly motivated |
| Antonyms | dissimilarly, unlike | differently, unlike |
| Common mistakes | Using 'likewise' at the beginning of a sentence without context., Confusing 'likewise' with 'similarly' in all cases; they aren't interchangeable in every context., Misusing 'likewise' at the end of a statement when it should precede the main clause. | 'Similarly' is sometimes incorrectly used to start a sentence without a clear comparison., Learners may confuse 'similarly' with 'simile', confusing comparative language with figurative language., Overusing 'similarly' in a paragraph can lead to redundancy. |
| Usage notes | Use 'likewise' to agree with someone or to show similarity. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written contexts but may seem too formal in casual conversations. | Use 'similarly' to compare two ideas or situations. It is best used in analytical or formal writing. Avoid in casual conversation where simpler phrases like 'also' might fit better. |
Frequently asked questions: Likewise vs Similarly
What's the difference between Likewise and Similarly?
Likewise: In the same way; also. Similarly: In the same way or manner.
Which is more advanced: Likewise and Similarly?
Likewise is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Likewise and Similarly the same CEFR level?
Likewise: B2, Similarly: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Likewise and Similarly?
Likewise: adverb, Similarly: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Likewise: He voted for the change and he expected his colleagues to **do likewise**. Similarly: It is a little cheaper than other similarly sized cars.
Can I use Likewise and Similarly interchangeably?
Not always. Likewise and Similarly 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.