Table of Contents
Introduction
Choosing between like and as can be confusing. This post will explore the differences between these two terms and provide examples to clarify their correct usage.
Vocabulary: Like or As?
“Like or as”? Which one should you use? Although these words can sometimes seem similar, they are used differently.
“As” is normally used as a conjunction (followed by a clause containing a subject and a verb). Sometimes, it can also be used as a preposition or an adverb. “Like,” however, is typically used as a preposition (followed by a noun or a pronoun). In informal English, “like” is also used as a conjunction, although this usage is considered incorrect by some.
Here is a detailed explanation of the different uses of “like and as.”
As
1. Conjunction
“As” is mainly used as a conjunction, followed by a clause containing a subject and a verb.
As a conjunction, “as” can be used in various ways:
A. To indicate that something happens during the time another action is taking place. In this context, “as” has the same meaning as “while.”
- She looked up as he entered the room.
- He found the key as he was walking home.
- As they were leaving, the phone rang.
B. To indicate comparison.
- She is as stubborn as her father was.
- He is an artist, as most of his family are.
C. To indicate cause and effect (having the same meaning as “since” or “because”).
- He was so tired as he had been working all day long.
- He was fired as he used to come to work late.
- She started crying as he blamed her for what had happened to her son.
D. Having the same meaning as “though.”
- Poor as she was, she refused our help.
- Questionable as it seemed, he decided to proceed with the deal.
E. “As if” and “as though” are also followed by clauses.
- He laughed as though he saw something funny.
- He behaved as if he knew nothing.
- They looked as though they had been quarreling.
2. Preposition
“As” can also be used as a preposition to talk about a job or function.
- I worked as a hotel manager for ten years.
- He used his mobile as a Wi-Fi hotspot.
3. Adverb
“As” may be used as an adverb to indicate comparisons in the structure:
as + adjective + as
- She isn’t as nice as her sister.
- He doesn’t work as hard as he should.
Like
1. “Like” is a preposition and is normally followed by a noun or a pronoun to indicate comparisons.
- He is built like a tank.
- She’s been working like a dog.
- When he gets into a library, he’s like a child in a sweet shop.
- My sister is very much like me.
- I look just like my father.
2. “Like” may be used as a conjunction in informal English.
- You don’t know him like I do (informal).
- You don’t know him as I do (formal).
Using “like” as a conjunction is considered “incorrect” or “informal” by some, but you will certainly hear it a lot.
4. “Like” may be used in expressions such as “feel like” and “look like.” “To feel like” means to have an inclination or desire for something. “To look like” means to seem or to appear.
- I feel like staying in bed all day.
- I don’t feel like going to the gym.
- It looks like snow.
- They look like they have been having fun.
Conclusion
“Like” and “as” are often confusing due to their similar meanings, but they have distinct uses. “As” is primarily used as a conjunction, introducing clauses and indicating comparisons, time, cause and effect, or conditions. It can also function as a preposition or an adverb in certain contexts.
“Like,” on the other hand, is typically used as a preposition to compare nouns and pronouns, though it is also informally used as a conjunction.