'Like' is one of those words we hear everywhere. It slips into sentences almost unnoticed, appearing in all kinds of informal conversations.
Far from being random, 'like' performs a series of important functions that make speech more flexible and expressive.
Let's look at how this word is used and why we use it so often.
What are the uses of the word 'like'?
Glad you asked. There are generally five purposes that the word 'like' serves in conversation. Here they are:
It buys us precious time
When we say this word we're giving our brains a moment to think of what to say next without leaving a gap in our speech, that way our listener knows that we're not done speaking yet.
It introduces comparisons
'Like' is the word we use to draw comparisons in a quick and efficient way. For example, when we say 'they treated him like a hero', or 'I slept like a baby', we're using 'like' to compare one thing to another, helping our listener understand exactly what we mean.
It introduces quotations
One of the most common uses of this word is as a way to introduce what someone said or how they reacted. For instance, you might say 'She was like, “no way!”'. This usage has become more widespread in the last decade, and it feels more natural than to say 'She said, “no way!”', especially in informal spoken language.
It signals approximation
'Like' also means 'approximately', so we can use it with the intention of letting the other person know that we're not completely sure of the veracity of the data we're sharing. An example of this is saying 'It took me 20 minutes' or 'It took me like 20 minutes'. In the latter sentence we're implying that it could also have taken a bit more or less than 20 minutes.
It softens statements
Another reason why the word 'like' has become important in our daily conversations is because it has the power to make statements sound less aggressive or dogmatic. Here's an example (and imagine this is spoken language): 'It's like not what I expected' sounds softer than 'It's not what I expected'.
So why do we say 'like' so many times?
We say it so many times because:
- It's very convenient, as you have seen in the previous section.
- It's a product of social contagion.
Social contagion refers to the way some language habits spread through a group by exposure to and the imitation of specific words.
When we hear friends, classmates, or people in social media using 'like' many times, we start doing it too, mostly without realising it. Over time, it becomes a habit and part of the way we naturally speak. This happens because language is a deeply social behaviour, and we adjust our way of speaking to match the people we interact with (this process is called 'linguistic accommodation').
The bottom line
A common opinion is that 'like' is used too much as a filler word. This is probably true in a general sense, but we have also seen how this word is particularly useful in daily speech.
I believe it's a matter of priorities, some people might value precision more, while others focus on flexibility.
In any case, use the language that makes you most comfortable. At the end of the day, communication is about getting the message across, and you can do this in many ways!
