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Jigneshbharati Posted 6 years ago
Grammar

Look alike

People say my oldest brother, and Ilook alike. We have similar faces.

ALIKE vs. LIKE: Differences in Grammar and Meaning
How do we know that "look" in "look alike" is a state verb and not an action verb?
I know that state verbs are generally not used in the present progressive but I want to know is there any tip or trick to differentiate them.
  

Top answer

Jigneshbharati How do we know that "look" in "look alike" is a state verb and not an action verb? The action verb is paraphrased as "take a look at", and there is no such thing as an "alike" that you can take a look at. Alternately, you can just note and remember that the very common expressions "look alike" and "look the same" are always about appearances and therefore are states.

— CalifJim

  • Jigneshbharati How do we know that "look" in "look alike" is a state verb and not an action verb?
  • The action verb is paraphrased as "take a look at", and there is no such thing as an "alike" that you can take a look at.
  • Alternately, you can just note and remember that the very common expressions "look alike" and "look the same" are always about appearances and therefore are states.
  • Jigneshbharati any tip or trick to differentiate them Generally speaking, state verbs show no motion, have no moving parts, do nothing.
  • That tip works most of the time.
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1 Answers
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JigneshbharatiHow do we know that "look" in "look alike" is a state verb and not an action verb?

The action verb is paraphrased as "take a look at", and there is no such thing as an "alike" that you can take a look at.

Alternately, you can just note and remember that the very common expressions "look alike" and "look the same" are always about appeara

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