ADJECTIVES RELATED TO UNUSUAL

Collocations with MAKE and DO

Collocations with GET and TAKE

FCE Speaking Tips

FCE Listening Tips

FCE Reading and Use of English Succeed in 4 steps

FCE Essay Writing 2015 Format

AS vs. LIKE

As and like are often confused since they are both used to compare actions or situations. There are, however, important differences.

As

AS = in the same way as, or in the same condition as. 

We use as before the subject + verb

• As I said at the meeting last week, I think we should revise our sales forecasts.
• If you had done as I said, we wouldn’t be in this situation.

We also use as to talk about job or function. In these cases as is a preposition. 

• I worked as a shop assistant for 2 years when I was a student.
• He used his shoe as a hammer to hang the picture up.

When As is a preposition, the meaning is different to like. Let’s take a look:

• As an English Language Trainer, I have many lessons to prepare. (As a trainer = in my position as a trainer)
• Like my teaching colleagues, I have many lessons to prepare. ( Like my teaching colleagues = the same as my colleagues)

In comparisons, the structure ‘as adjective as’ is often used.

• He’s not as tall as his brother
• She ran as fast as she could.

In the following comparisons as is a conjunction – it’s followed by a clause with a subject and a verb.

• He went to Cambridge University, as his father had before him.
• She’s a talented writer, as most of her family are.

Like

LIKE = similar to, the same as. You cannot use as in this way

like is a preposition, so it is followed by a noun ( like a palace), a pronoun (like me/this) or -ing ( like being)

• You have a huge house! It’s like a palace (not as a place)
• You love romantic films, like me (not as me)
• I love eating in the garden. It’s like being on holiday. (not as being)
• It’s raining again! I hate weather like this (not as this)

Like and As if/As though

Like, as if and as though can all be used to make comparisons. There is no difference in meaning among the 3 forms.

• You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.
• You talk as though we’re never going to see each other again.
• It looks like it’s going to rain.

Expressions with ‘as’

The following expressions all use as.

• As you know, classes restart on January 15th.
• I tried using salt as you suggested but the stain still didn’t come out.
• As we agreed the company will be split 50/50 between us.
• Their house is the same as ours.