lunes, 2 de febrero de 2015

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

Likeas 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.
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