Do you ever, like, wonder why some people use the word “like” so often?
This humble four-letter word has become ubiquitous in the speech of many young people — and a new study shows this is certainly the case in the UAE.
Researchers found that students at the American University of Sharjah uttered “like” no fewer than 3,937 times during 58 interviews, making it the third most-used word.
In 2,951 of those instances, it was being used as what academics call a discourse marker, a word that breaks speech up into segments.
If you look at who’s using it, it has nothing to do with speakers who aren’t intelligent
Dr Eliane Lorenze,
Justus Liebig University Giessen
There are many discourse markers — others include “you know”, “I mean”, “well” and “as I say” — and we often use them without realising we are doing so.
With young people, the word “like”, which is thought to originate from American English, often appears to reign supreme. In fact, among the 17 to 24-year-olds interviewed, it had an average frequency of 19.5 per 1,000 words spoken — which is considered high.
One student used “like” just 0.51 times per 1,000 words, but another uttered it 55.14 times every 1,000 words.
The interviews were actually carried out to analyse attitudes to English by the students, who came from a variety of South Asian and Arab countries, including the UAE, and were typically multilingual.
Dr Eliane Lorenz, a senior lecturer at Justus Liebig University Giessen, in Germany, and the study’s author, noticed how commonly young people used the word and decided it was worth analysing.
Word transcends nationality and culture
“Like was such a prominent feature,” she said. “We realised this was super interesting, there was so much more to this data.”
Like’s ubiquity in the interviews may be partly because the discussions were relatively informal and because the people interviewed were young.
Previous studies found a frequency of “like” per 1,000 words of 4.38 in Canadian English, 2.23 in Philippine English, 2.18 in New Zealand English, 1.51 in Indian English and just 0.49 in British English, all a fraction of the average in the new research.
But these figures are from studies carried out several years ago — perhaps before “like” became as popular as it is today — and that were not focused on younger people.
The use of "like" is, Dr Lorenz said, “controversial”.
The word is often, she said, associated with “valley girl” speak and can even make people perceive the user to be less intelligent, which Dr Lorenz suggested was unfair.
“If you look at who’s using it, it has nothing to do with speakers who aren’t intelligent,” she said.
In the new study, females on average said like more often than males — 21.1 times against 18 times per 1,000 words — but the difference was not statistically significant.
The new study has been published as, “We Use English But Not Like All the Time Like — Discourse Marker Like in UAE English,” in the journal Frontiers in Communication.
Discourse markers have two key functions, according to Michael Handford, professor of applied linguistics and English language at Cardiff University in the UK.
One is as cognitive filler, meaning they give the speaker thinking time to formulate what they are about to say.
The other centres on the interpersonal relationship side of communication, as discourse markers can soften what is being said and ensure that the other person does not take offence.
Prof Handford gave the example of a person declining an invitation to a party. Using “filler” makes the rejection less direct.
“People often use this filler in order to hedge or downplay the potential threat to the other person’s self image,” he said.
“If you remove discourse markers from your speech, you’re going to sound very abrupt.
Discourse markers are not unique to English, with Prof Handford citing the example of Japanese, which he speaks, in which “etto” is used as filler.
While “like” is much maligned, Prof Handford said it has long tended to be the case that language used by young people has been considered inferior.
“Like” typically fulfils functions, he said, that would otherwise probably have to be fulfilled by other words. As with other discourse markers, it is used as filler, and is additionally often employed to introduce direct speech.
One subject Prof Handford teaches is professional communication, and because the use of “like” may create a negative impression, he helps people find alternatives.
“We talk about other words that you might use other than 'like' to introduce reported speech,” he said.
“Personally, I don’t have any problem with 'like'. Not everybody shares that view.”
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai
Gulf Under 19
Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy
Pool B – British School Al Khubairat, Bahrain Colts, Jumeirah College Lions, Dubai English Speaking School 2
Pool C - Dubai College A, Dubai Sharks, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Al Yasmina
Pool D – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Deira International School
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Opening weekend Premier League fixtures
Weekend of August 10-13
Arsenal v Manchester City
Bournemouth v Cardiff City
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Huddersfield Town v Chelsea
Liverpool v West Ham United
Manchester United v Leicester City
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v Burnley
Watford v Brighton & Hove Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Three-day coronation
Royal purification
The entire coronation ceremony extends over three days from May 4-6, but Saturday is the one to watch. At the time of 10:09am the royal purification ceremony begins. Wearing a white robe, the king will enter a pavilion at the Grand Palace, where he will be doused in sacred water from five rivers and four ponds in Thailand. In the distant past water was collected from specific rivers in India, reflecting the influential blend of Hindu and Buddhist cosmology on the coronation. Hindu Brahmins and the country's most senior Buddhist monks will be present. Coronation practices can be traced back thousands of years to ancient India.
The crown
Not long after royal purification rites, the king proceeds to the Baisal Daksin Throne Hall where he receives sacred water from eight directions. Symbolically that means he has received legitimacy from all directions of the kingdom. He ascends the Bhadrapitha Throne, where in regal robes he sits under a Nine-Tiered Umbrella of State. Brahmins will hand the monarch the royal regalia, including a wooden sceptre inlaid with gold, a precious stone-encrusted sword believed to have been found in a lake in northern Cambodia, slippers, and a whisk made from yak's hair.
The Great Crown of Victory is the centrepiece. Tiered, gold and weighing 7.3 kilograms, it has a diamond from India at the top. Vajiralongkorn will personally place the crown on his own head and then issues his first royal command.
The audience
On Saturday afternoon, the newly-crowned king is set to grant a "grand audience" to members of the royal family, the privy council, the cabinet and senior officials. Two hours later the king will visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred space in Thailand, which on normal days is thronged with tourists. He then symbolically moves into the Royal Residence.
The procession
The main element of Sunday's ceremonies, streets across Bangkok's historic heart have been blocked off in preparation for this moment. The king will sit on a royal palanquin carried by soldiers dressed in colourful traditional garb. A 21-gun salute will start the procession. Some 200,000 people are expected to line the seven-kilometre route around the city.
Meet the people
On the last day of the ceremony Rama X will appear on the balcony of Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall in the Grand Palace at 4:30pm "to receive the good wishes of the people". An hour later, diplomats will be given an audience at the Grand Palace. This is the only time during the ceremony that representatives of foreign governments will greet the king.
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Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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