A2 phrase 2 min read

like this

You do something in this way.

Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use like this to show someone how to do a task. If you are drawing a picture, you can say, 'Draw a circle like this.' It is very easy to use and very helpful when you are learning English!

When you want to explain a method, you use this phrase. It is common to point at something and say, 'Hold the pen like this.' It helps people understand your instructions much faster than words alone.

The phrase 'like this' is a standard way to provide a demonstration. It is versatile and works in almost any daily situation. Whether you are showing a friend how to use a new app or how to fold a shirt, adding 'like this' makes your communication clear and immediate.

At this level, you recognize that 'like this' is a high-frequency demonstrative phrase. While it is informal, it is indispensable for clarity. You might contrast it with more formal alternatives like 'in this fashion' when writing reports, but in spoken English, 'like this' remains the most natural choice.

Using 'like this' effectively involves timing. In professional or pedagogical contexts, it functions as a deictic marker, anchoring the listener's attention to a specific physical performance. While simple, its power lies in its ability to bridge the gap between abstract instruction and concrete reality, making it a staple of effective communication.

The phrase serves as a fundamental linguistic tool for gestural deixis. In advanced discourse, it allows the speaker to maintain flow while integrating non-verbal semiotics. Its usage reflects a mastery of register, where the speaker knows exactly when to swap the casual 'like this' for more elevated phrasing without losing the immediacy of the instruction.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Used for demonstration
  • Very casual
  • Pairs with action verbs
  • Essential for daily life

When you say like this, you are usually showing someone how to do something. It is a very handy phrase because it saves you from having to use long, complicated sentences to explain a process.

Think of it as a verbal shortcut. Instead of describing every single movement, you simply perform the action and say, 'Do it like this.' It is essential for teaching skills, from tying shoelaces to coding a computer program.

The phrase is a combination of two very old Germanic words. Like comes from the Old English 'lic,' meaning 'body' or 'form,' which eventually evolved to mean 'similar to.' This stems from the Proto-Germanic 'thas,' used to point to something nearby.

Historically, people have always used demonstrative phrases to guide others. By combining these two, English speakers created a simple way to point toward a 'form' of action that is happening right in front of them. It has remained remarkably stable in form for centuries.

You will hear like this in almost every casual conversation. It is perfectly fine to use with friends, family, and even in many workplace settings when you are training a colleague.

It is most commonly paired with verbs of action such as do, hold, move, or write. While it is very common in speech, in highly formal academic writing, you might prefer phrases like 'in this manner' or 'as demonstrated below' to maintain a more professional register.

While 'like this' is a functional phrase, it appears in many common expressions. 'Just like this' adds emphasis to the exactness of the method. 'Nothing like this' is used to express that you have never seen something so unique.

You might also hear 'like this, like that', which describes a chaotic or inconsistent way of doing things. 'Like this?' is a frequent question when someone is seeking confirmation that they have copied a movement correctly.

Grammatically, 'like this' acts as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb. It does not change form, so you don't need to worry about plurals or tense changes.

In terms of pronunciation, the 'th' in 'this' is voiced, meaning your vocal cords vibrate. The stress usually falls on the word 'this' when you are demonstrating something important. It rhymes with words like miss, kiss, and bliss (for the 'this' part).

Fun Fact

The word 'like' is related to 'body' in Old English.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /laɪk ðɪs/

Crisp 'th' sound.

US /laɪk ðɪs/

Slightly more relaxed 'th'.

Common Errors

  • Mispronouncing 'th' as 'd'
  • Dropping the 'k' sound
  • Stressing 'like' instead of 'this'

Rhymes With

miss kiss bliss hiss this

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy

Writing 1/5

Very easy

Speaking 1/5

Very easy

Listening 1/5

Very easy

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

like this

Learn Next

likewise in this manner

Advanced

deictic demonstrative

Grammar to Know

Imperative Mood

Do it like this.

Adverbial Phrases

He ran quickly.

Demonstratives

This is mine.

Examples by Level

1

Hold the spoon like this.

hold = keep in hand

Imperative sentence

2

Do it like this.

do = perform

Simple command

3

Write your name like this.

write = put on paper

Instructional

4

Walk like this.

walk = move legs

Action verb

5

Sit like this.

sit = rest on chair

Posture advice

6

Look like this.

look = see

Visual expression

7

Jump like this.

jump = hop up

Physical action

8

Say it like this.

say = speak

Pronunciation tip

1

Move your hand like this.

2

Fold the paper like this.

3

You should type like this.

4

Don't hold the cup like this.

5

Can you dance like this?

6

I think it works like this.

7

Try to paint like this.

8

Why do you stand like this?

1

It is easier if you do it like this.

2

I never knew you could cook like this.

3

Please don't talk to me like this.

4

If you arrange the files like this, it is organized.

5

He showed me how to fix the bike like this.

6

You shouldn't treat your friends like this.

7

I like how you designed the room like this.

8

Things have been like this for years.

1

It is quite rare to see a machine operate like this.

2

I didn't expect the project to turn out like this.

3

The situation is like this because of the budget cuts.

4

Why would anyone want to live like this?

5

You can adjust the settings like this to save power.

6

It is not always like this, usually it is quieter.

7

I have never seen a sunset like this before.

8

Don't let your emotions control you like this.

1

The phenomenon manifests itself like this under high pressure.

2

It is fascinating how the system adapts like this.

3

One must approach the problem like this to find a solution.

4

The architecture is designed like this to maximize light.

5

I find it intriguing that the data trends like this.

6

The cultural shift occurred like this over several decades.

7

We cannot continue to operate like this indefinitely.

8

It is precisely like this that the error was introduced.

1

The structural integrity is maintained like this throughout the process.

2

It is conceptually elegant to view the problem like this.

3

The historical trajectory evolved like this, defying expectations.

4

One observes the chemical reaction behaving like this in isolation.

5

The narrative structure is woven like this to create suspense.

6

It is profound how the human spirit persists like this.

7

The artistic technique is executed like this to evoke emotion.

8

The geopolitical landscape shifted like this, altering all alliances.

Common Collocations

do it like this
look like this
hold it like this
just like this
work like this
write like this
sit like this
move like this
act like this
be like this

Idioms & Expressions

"just like this"

exactly in this way

It works just like this.

neutral

"like this, like that"

in a disorganized way

He does things like this, like that.

casual

"nothing like this"

unique; nothing similar

I've seen nothing like this.

neutral

"like this one"

referring to a specific item

I want a car like this one.

neutral

"something like this"

approximately this way

It went something like this.

casual

"like this and that"

various things

We talked about this and that.

casual

Easily Confused

like this vs likewise

similar spelling

means 'also'

He said hello; I said likewise.

like this vs like that

similar structure

refers to distance

Do it like that (over there).

like this vs as such

similar function

more formal

It is not a book as such.

like this vs in this way

same meaning

more formal

We proceeded in this way.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Imperative + like this

Move it like this.

A2

Subject + verb + like this

He walks like this.

B1

Why + do + subject + like this?

Why do you act like this?

B1

It + is + like this

It is like this for a reason.

B2

Just + like this

Just like this, it was gone.

Word Family

Nouns

likeness a portrait or resemblance

Verbs

like to enjoy or prefer

Adjectives

lifelike appearing real

Related

likely similar etymology

How to Use It

frequency

9

Formality Scale

formal: in this manner neutral: like this casual: like so

Common Mistakes

like so much → like this
Confusing 'like this' (manner) with 'like' (preference).
do like that way → do it like this
Redundant phrasing.
like this here → like this
Redundant 'here'.
in this way like → in this way
Mixing registers.
like this is → like this
Grammar structure error.

Tips

💡

Use Gestures

Always point when you say it.

💡

No Plurals

It never changes.

💡

Voiced 'th'

Make sure to vibrate your tongue.

💡

Record Yourself

Watch your own demonstrations.

🌍

Casual Tone

Keep it friendly.

💡

Avoid Redundancy

Don't say 'like this here'.

💡

Old Roots

It comes from old Germanic roots.

💡

Link to Action

Connect it to a physical movement.

💡

Use with Friends

Practice during games.

💡

Stress the 'this'

Emphasize the demonstrative.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Like This = Look at This

Visual Association

A teacher pointing to a board.

Word Web

demonstration instruction method manner

Challenge

Demonstrate a task to a friend today.

Word Origin

Germanic

Original meaning: In the form of this

Cultural Context

None.

Very common in hands-on instruction.

Many songs use 'like this' in lyrics.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

at work

  • Do it like this.
  • Show me like this.
  • It works like this.

at school

  • Write it like this.
  • Draw a line like this.
  • Solve it like this.

at home

  • Fold it like this.
  • Hold the handle like this.
  • Cook it like this.

sports

  • Throw the ball like this.
  • Swing the bat like this.
  • Run like this.

Conversation Starters

"Can you show me how to do that like this?"

"Why do you hold your phone like this?"

"I never knew you could paint like this!"

"Do you think it should be done like this?"

"Is it supposed to look like this?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time you taught someone to do something like this.

Why do you think people have habits like this?

Write about a skill you learned by watching someone do it like this.

How does it feel when someone corrects you like this?

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

Better to use 'in this manner'.

No, it is very helpful.

Yes, for things further away.

No, it stays the same.

Yes, it acts as an adverbial phrase.

No, usually for actions.

Yes, globally.

Use it while explaining tasks.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

Hold the pen ___ ___.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: like this

Standard phrase.

multiple choice A2

Which means 'in this manner'?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: like this

Definition check.

true false B1

'Like this' is used for formal writing.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It is usually casual.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Synonym match.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Correct order is 'do it like this'.

Score: /5

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