Meaning & use
likewise
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Meanings
adverbnot comparable
In the same way; also.
Grammar: Usually follows or starts a clause: She smiled, and he did likewise.
Patterns
- do likewise
She waved to the crowd, and her team did likewise.
Please lock the door and have everyone else do likewise.
Wash your hands; likewise, keep your tools clean.
adverbnot comparableinformal
Used as a short reply to a polite wish, meaning the same to you.
Grammar: Stands alone as a reply: Nice to meet you. Likewise.
Enjoy your meal. Likewise!
It was nice to meet you. Likewise.
Have a great weekend. Likewise.
Common combinations
- do likewise
- If you want to help, do likewise.
- and likewise
- He loves football, and likewise his sister.
- treat likewise
- Treat others likewise and you will be respected.
- go and do likewise
- Watch her work and then go and do likewise.
- likewise for
- The rule applies to cars; likewise for bikes.
Synonyms and how they differ
- similarly
- Similarly sounds more academic and is used to join two comparable points, while likewise often replaces a repeated action.
- also
- Also just adds information, whereas likewise says something is done in the same manner.
- the same
- The same is plain and spoken, but likewise is more formal.
- equally
- Equally compares degree, such as equally important, not manner.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: likewise or likewise?
likewise vs likewise
Likewise is one word. Writing like wise as two words is a mistake that changes the meaning.
Practice
She stood up when the judge entered, and everyone else did ___.
Choose one answer.
Did likewise means did the same. However, instead and rather do not carry that meaning and do not fit after did.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “likewise”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.