How to use "similarly"

What Does "similarly" Mean?

• Grammatical function: "Similarly" is a conjunctive adverb used to express addition and comparison. It signals that the second idea being introduced is analogous or comparable to the one previously mentioned.
• Typical sentence position: It is highly versatile and can appear in the initial position (starting a sentence), medial position (between the subject and verb or after an auxiliary verb), or final position (at the end of a clause).
• Register: This expression is generally neutral to formal. It is a staple of academic writing, journalism, and professional correspondence, though it is also used in careful speech.

How to Use It

• Syntactic patterns: When used as a sentence connector, it is followed by a full independent clause. When used as a simple adverb of manner, it typically modifies an adjective or a verb.
• Punctuation rules: If "Similarly" starts a sentence, it is almost always followed by a comma. If it connects two independent clauses within one sentence, it is preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can be moved easily within a sentence to shift emphasis. It can also be modified (e.g., "quite similarly" or "very similarly"), though it is rarely negated directly (one would use "dissimilarly" or "unlike this" instead).
• What sounds unnatural: Using "similarly" without a clear antecedent for comparison makes the writing feel disconnected. It should not be used as a simple synonym for "also" if there is no shared quality between the two items being discussed.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from similarly on Ludwig.guru.

"Similarly, Marshall told me there is a significant lack of advice available to disabled aspiring journalists." — theguardian.com

"Fitt and Devlin, coming from similar backgrounds and with similarly explosive temperaments, once had to be dragged out of a fist fight behind the Speaker's chair at Stormont." — theguardian.com

"Rev Canon Jim Mynors, vicar of six rural parishes (two of them Grade I-listed) in Northamptonshire, similarly says it is a mixed picture." — theguardian.com

"The Luminaries is a similarly involving read – like a Wilkie Collins mystery set against the New Zealand gold rush – which slowly reveals a complex structure raising questions about fate, free will and the human search for meaning." — theguardian.com

"Similarly, the government found $300m for a year-long extension of funding for mental health services." — theguardian.com

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/similarly

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
in the same way	Neutral; emphasizes the manner in which an action is performed.
likewise	Slightly more formal; often used to show agreement or identical behavior.
correspondingly	Formal; implies a direct relationship or proportional parallel.
by the same token	Idiomatic/Formal; used to introduce a point that follows from the same logic.
equally	Neutral; emphasizes that two points have the same level of importance.

Common Mistakes

• Missing Punctuation: Forgetting the comma after "Similarly" at the start of a sentence can lead to a run-on feel.
• Adjective/Adverb Confusion: Learners often confuse it with the adjective 'similar' or use it to start a sentence without providing a preceding idea to compare it to.
• Overuse: Using it as a generic transition word like "and" or "also" when the two subjects are not actually comparable in nature.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
similarly	Comparison/Addition	Neutral to Formal	Initial, Medial, or Final

FAQs

Can similarly be used in different parts of a sentence

Yes, the conjunctive adverb is highly mobile and can appear at the beginning of a sentence followed by a comma, or in the mid-clause position near the verb. When placed at the start, it links the entire sentence to the previous one, whereas in the middle, it often modifies a specific action or quality.

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What is the difference between similarly and likewise

While both terms function as connectives to show comparison, likewise is often used to mean "me too" or to indicate that an action is being repeated exactly. Similarly is broader and is typically used in formal writing to point out shared characteristics or analogous situations between two different topics.

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Why can I not start a paragraph with similarly

You can only start a paragraph with similarly if the previous paragraph has established a clear point of comparison. Learners often confuse it with the adjective 'similar' or use it to start a sentence without providing a preceding idea to compare it to, which leaves the reader without the necessary context to understand the analogy.