Is 'similar to' fine in this sentence?

[jaypark]

How are you?

Is this sentence OK especially the use of "similar to" ?
I am looking forward to your opinions.

Similar to his predecessor, the agency’s newly appointed director, Tim Lee, has a master’s degree in economics from Wayne University.

Thank you !

Sincerely,
Jay

 

[lotus888]

Yes, you can use that. You might simplify it by using "Like his predecessor..."



--lotus

 

[Raymott]

I would use an appropriate adverb, such as "Similarly to ...", or change the wording.
I find that I (and others) have answered this before:
https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/123295-similar-vs-similarly

 

[SoothingDave]

Is it similar? Or is it exactly like?

 

[MikeNewYork]

I don't see how two degrees can be similar. Either they are the same or they aren't.

 

[Barb_D]

I agree - if they both have the same degree from the same university, it's "Like" not "similar to." If they have the same degree but from different universities, that would be similar.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Even then, I wouldn't use "similar".

 

[Tdol]

I would use like not similar to.

 

[SoothingDave]

One might say that something like biology was similar to biomedical engineering. But not as the original poster used "similar."