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.
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.
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.
