unlike
B1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
different from; not similar to; not characteristic of.
used to contrast something with something else; can also function as a preposition meaning "dissimilar to" or as an adjective meaning "not alike".
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a preposition, it introduces a point of difference or comparison. As an adjective, it describes things that are dissimilar. It often sets up a contrastive frame.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal lexical differences. Spelling and meaning are identical. Usage frequency is similar.
Connotations
Identical connotations of difference or contrast.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
unlike + noun/noun phrasebe + unlike + noun/noun phraseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Unlike your usual self (behaving differently from normal).”
- “Unlike anything I've ever seen (completely unique or unprecedented).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in reports to highlight disparities, e.g., 'Unlike last quarter, profits have risen.'
Academic
Used to contrast theories, findings, or populations, e.g., 'Unlike the control group, the experimental group showed improvement.'
Everyday
Common in casual comparison, e.g., 'Unlike me, my brother loves hiking.'
Technical
Used to differentiate specifications, conditions, or data sets.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The two sisters are quite unlike in temperament.
- He received an unlike reaction to his proposal.
American English
- The twins have unlike personalities.
- Their goals are fundamentally unlike.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Unlike my friend, I don't like coffee.
- This book is unlike my other books.
- Unlike last summer, this one has been very rainy.
- His new painting is unlike anything he's done before.
- Unlike traditional methods, this new technique is far more efficient.
- The political climate now is utterly unlike that of a decade ago.
- Unlike her predecessor, the CEO adopted a radically transparent communication strategy.
- The novel's structure, unlike conventional narratives, eschews linear chronology altogether.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the prefix 'UN-' meaning 'not' and 'LIKE' meaning 'similar'. UN-LIKE = NOT SIMILAR.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIFFERENCE IS SEPARATION (e.g., 'worlds apart', 'poles apart').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating as 'не как' which is unidiomatic. Use 'в отличие от' for the prepositional use. For the adjective, use 'непохожий'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'unlike' as a conjunction (e.g., 'Unlike I expected, it rained' - incorrect; should be 'Contrary to what I expected...').
- Confusing 'unlike' (preposition/adjective) with 'dislike' (verb).
Practice
Quiz
Which part of speech is 'unlike' in the sentence: 'Her approach was unlike any other.'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is very common to start a sentence with 'Unlike...' to introduce a contrasting point.
They are often synonymous, but 'unlike' is more directly contrastive and is commonly used at the start of clauses. 'Different from' is more general.
Yes, 'very unlike' is grammatically correct and used for emphasis, though some style guides prefer 'very different from'.
No, 'unlike' is not a verb. The verb form with a similar root is 'dislike'. The prefix 'un-' here negates the adjective/preposition 'like'.