Have you ever been confused about when to use like or as in a sentence? You’re not alone. Many English learners struggle with this common grammar issue. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between “like” and “as” and provide some simple rules to help you use them correctly.
Like or As
What’s the difference between like vs as? Many people are confused about the commonly confused words like and as.
How to Use Like
Like is used to say what something or someone looks/ is like.
Like, as a preposition, is used:
Examples:
- What does he look like?
- There is no place like home.
- Don’t nag me like an old woman.
- Her hair is dark brown like mine.
How to Use As
As is used to describe someone’s job/ role.
As, as a preposition, is used:
- Before a noun or pronoun
- To refer to jobs or functions
Examples:
- As a parent, I feel that more should be done to protect our children.
- His father makes a lot of money as a pilot.
- A flat stone was used as a table.
- He is cunning as a fox.
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He has become celebrated as an artist.
Key Differences Between ‘Like’ and ‘As’
Firstly, ‘like’ is used to show similarity between two things, while ‘as’ is used to show the role or function of something. For example, if we want to say that two things are similar, we would use ‘like’, as in “She sings like an angel”. On the other hand, if we want to talk about the role or function of something, we would use ‘as’, as in “She works as a teacher”.
Another difference between ‘like’ and ‘as’ is that ‘like’ is a preposition, while ‘as’ is a conjunction. This means that ‘like’ is used to show the relationship between two things, while ‘as’ is used to join two clauses. For example, “She runs like a cheetah” uses ‘like’ as a preposition to show the relationship between ‘she’ and ‘cheetah’, while “She runs as fast as a cheetah” uses ‘as’ as a conjunction to join the two clauses.
It’s also important to note that ‘like’ is often followed by a noun or pronoun, while ‘as’ is often followed by a clause. For example, “He looks like his father” uses ‘like’ followed by a noun, while “He looks as if he’s seen a ghost” uses ‘as’ followed by a clause.
Detailed Examples of ‘Like’ Usage
Comparing Nouns
One of the most common ways to use ‘like’ is to compare two nouns that are similar in some way. For example:
- She dances like a professional.
- The car runs like a dream.
- He looks like his father.
In each of these examples, ‘like’ is used to compare the subject to something else. It’s important to note that ‘like’ is always followed by a noun or pronoun.
Similes
Another way to use ‘like’ is in similes. Similes are figures of speech that compare two things using ‘like’ or ‘as’. For example:
- Her eyes sparkled like diamonds.
- He’s as fast as lightning.
- The wind howled like a pack of wolves.
In each of these examples, ‘like’ is used to create a comparison between two things. Similes are a great way to add color and imagery to your writing.
Indicating Preference
‘Like’ can also be used to indicate preference or enjoyment. For example:
- I like chocolate ice cream.
- She likes to read in her free time.
- They like to go hiking on the weekends.
In each of these examples, ‘like’ is used to express a preference or enjoyment of something. It’s important to note that ‘like’ is always followed by a verb in these cases.
Informal Comparisons
Finally, ‘like’ can be used in informal comparisons. For example:
- He’s like, “I don’t know what to do.”
- She was like, “That’s so funny.”
In these examples, ‘like’ is used to indicate speech or thought. This usage is more common in informal settings and is often used to convey a sense of informality or casualness.
In-depth Examples of ‘As’ Usage
As we mentioned earlier, ‘as’ is a conjunction that is used to join two clauses together. Here are some examples of how ‘as’ can be used in sentences:
- She worked as a teacher for five years before becoming a writer.
- As I was walking down the street, I saw a man playing the guitar.
- He ran as fast as he could to catch the bus.
In these examples, ‘as’ is used to indicate a comparison or to show the manner in which an action was performed. In the first example, ‘as’ is used to compare the speaker’s current profession to their previous profession. In the second example, ‘as’ is used to show the manner in which the speaker saw the man playing the guitar. In the third example, ‘as’ is used to show the manner in which the man ran.
Another way ‘as’ can be used is to introduce a clause that expresses a reason or cause. Here are some examples:
- As it was raining, we decided to stay indoors.
- As he was feeling unwell, he decided to take the day off from work.
- As she had forgotten her phone at home, she couldn’t call her friend.
In these examples, ‘as’ is used to introduce a clause that explains the reason or cause for the action that was taken. In the first example, ‘as’ is used to explain why the speaker and their friends decided to stay indoors. In the second example, ‘as’ is used to explain why the man decided to take the day off from work. In the third example, ‘as’ is used to explain why the woman couldn’t call her friend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use ‘like’ and ‘as’ interchangeably in a sentence?
No, ‘like’ and ‘as’ have different functions in a sentence. ‘Like’ is a preposition used to compare two things that are similar, while ‘as’ is a conjunction used to show how something is done or to compare actions.
What are some examples of ‘like’ being used as a preposition?
Some examples of ‘like’ being used as a preposition are: “She sings like an angel” and “The car is red like a firetruck”. In both cases, ‘like’ is used to compare two things that are similar.
When should you use ‘as’ instead of ‘like’ in a sentence?
You should use ‘as’ instead of ‘like’ when you are comparing actions or showing how something is done. For example, “He eats as if he hasn’t eaten in days” or “She dances as if she’s floating on air”.
How do you use ‘like’ or ‘as’ to create a simile?
To create a simile, you can use ‘like’ or ‘as’ to compare two things that are not alike. For example, “Her eyes are like the stars” or “He runs as fast as a cheetah”.
What is the difference between ‘like’ and ‘as’ in figurative language?
In figurative language, ‘like’ is used to compare two things that are similar, while ‘as’ is used to compare actions or show how something is done. For example, “She sings like an angel” (comparing her voice to that of an angel) and “He works as hard as a bee” (comparing his work ethic to that of a bee).
What is the general rule for using ‘like’ and ‘as’ correctly?
The general rule for using ‘like’ and ‘as’ correctly is to use ‘like’ to compare two things that are similar, and ‘as’ to compare actions or show how something is done. Remember that ‘like’ is a preposition and ‘as’ is a conjunction.
Last Updated on November 10, 2023
