he likes his relationships like he likes his movies

[navi tasan]

1) He likes his relationships like he likes his movies, shallow but entertaining.
2) He likes his relationships like his movies, shallow but entertaining.
3) He likes his relationships to be like his movies, shallow but entertaining.

4) I like my relationships like I like lyric poems, meaningful and full of grace.
5) I like my relationships like lyric poems, meaningful and full of grace.

Which are grammatical?

Do the first three mean the same?

In #4 and #5 we don't have two possessive adjectives (his... his), but only one (my). To me the first three seem grammatically correct, but I am not at all sure about #4 and #5,

 

[jutfrank]

The (semi-)fixed pattern is:

I like my A like I like my B—X (and Y)

None of your sentences strictly follows this pattern. #4 comes structurally close but misses the word 'my'. #1 does follow the structure of the pattern but replaces the pronouns, which is unusual but okay if you're being playful. This pattern is normally used with at least modicum of humor. Even if you added 'my' to #4, it wouldn't be very funny.


Usage note: The pattern also frequently appears with 'how' in place of the second 'like'.

 

[navi tasan]

Thank you very much, Jutfrank.

Would this structure work as well?
I like my A the way I like my B—X (and Y)

6) J like my drinks the way I like my dogs, strong.

 

[jutfrank]

Would this structure work as well?
I like my A the way I like my B—X (and Y)

Yes, I suppose so.

 

[BobK]

Thank you very much, Jutfrank.

Would this structure work as well?
I like my A the way I like my B—X (and Y)

6) J like my drinks the way I like my dogs, strong.

And this form has the added advantage of avoiding the 'like I like' clash, which many users would regard as inelegant (at best - I also regard it as lazy, tin-eared and inconsiderate [in that it forces the listener to do some mental gymnastics, parsing the two different sorts of 'like']).

 

[jutfrank]

the 'like I like' clash ... forces the listener to do some mental gymnastics, parsing the two different sorts of 'like'

I don't think the listener has to plant a triple-twisting Arabian pike here. Maybe a couple of gentle knee bends at the most?