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.