English grammar and usage – choose the correct completion for the collocation "similar to": identify the option that makes a natural, grammatically correct sentence. Sentence frame: "This book is quite similar ____." Pick the option that correctly completes the sentence with an idiomatic prepositional phrase or clause. Choose the most appropriate completion.

Given data

• Stem: "This book is quite similar ____."
• Options: (A) with the "Treasure Island" (B) of that film we saw at school (C) to the one I read last week (D) than a story told by our teacher.

Concept/ApproachThe adjective similar takes the preposition to (not with, of, or than). We then need a noun phrase that fits: "similar to the one I read last week".

Option analysisA: "with the 'Treasure Island'" — incorrect preposition; standard collocation is similar to, not similar with. Also a proper title would normally be Treasure Island without the article or with the novel 'Treasure Island'.B: "of that film we saw at school" — similar of is ungrammatical.C: "to the one I read last week" — correct preposition and a clear noun phrase. ✅D: "than a story told by our teacher" — than is used with comparatives, not with similar.

Usage tipCorrect pattern: similar to + noun/pronoun/gerund.

Common pitfalls

• Using with or than after similar.
• Following similar with a clause that lacks a clear head noun.

Final Answerto the one I read last week