GRAMMAR NO. 9: "like" vs. "as"

A. Making comparisons: "like" and "as" has the same meaning

We use like and as to make comparisons. In this respect, they have exactly the same meaning. The difference is that like is a preposition and as is a conjunction. That is, like is used before a noun and as is used before a verb/clause. For example:

• He speaks like a native speaker
• He speaks as a native speaker would do

Sometimes, English speakers use like for both uses, but that is only possible in informal English.

• We play football like champions do

B. To express what the role/function of a person/thing is: "as"

Another use of as is to say what the role/function of a person/thing is.

• He started to work as a carpenter.
• She used the tapestry as a decoration in her living room.

*** VERY IMPORTANT
Functions A. and B. can be, sometimes, difficult to distinguish. Pay attention to the following examples:

• As your boss, I must warn you to be careful. (I am your boss.)
• Like your boss, I must warn you to be careful. (I am not your boss, but he/she and I have similar attitudes.)

C. "As if"

In English we also use as if to make comparisons. However it has a few distinct characteristics to its use:

1. The verb after AS IF is always in the past subjunctive, no matter what tense the sentence is.

2. If the verb BE directly follows AS IF, we use were for all personal pronouns.

• He looks as if he knew the answer.

(The verbs LOOKS indicates this sentence is in the present – but the verb after AS IF – knew - is in the past subjuntive).

• She walks as if she were a supermodel.

(The verb after AS IF – be – has been changed to were and not was).

• He boarded the airplane as if he were a seasoned traveller.
• He spends money as if he owned a bank.

D. Other uses of "like" and "as"

LIKE:

VARIANT MEANING	EXAMPLES
OF THE SAME FORM (adj.)	I haven't seen a like model. We collect trains, cars, buses and like models.
OF THE SAME FORM (noun)	I haven't seen its like. We collect model t trains, cars, buses and their like.
CHARACTERISTIC (prep.)	It would be like him to forget my birthday.
SIMILAR OR COMPARABLE (prep.)	There is nothing like a tall cold drink.
EXAMPLE (adv.)	You could take up a hobby, like fishing, hiking or cycling.
SIMILAR OR COMPARABLE (adv.)	He was a hippie-like guy with a tie-dye T-shirt.
INCLINED (idiom–prep.)	Do you feel like going to a movie?
PROMISE / INDICATIVE (idiom- prep.)	It (the sky) looks like rain today.
REQUEST-PREFER (idiom–verb)	I'd like you to come with us.
SUIT YOUR PREFERENCE (idiom–verb)	You can come or you can go as you like.

Informal - Like

ATTENTION GETTER (interjection)	Like, has anyone seen my cell phone lying around?
HESITATOR (uh.. or well...)	We were more... like... borrowing his car.
INTRODUCE REPORTED SPEECH	He's like, "You're totally wrong, " and I'm like, "No, way!"
AN EQUAL (idiom)	We haven't seen the likes of him before.
AS IF (conj.)	I felt like I could stay there forever. (informal for as if)

AS:

VARIANT MEANING	EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE (adv.)	Some flowers, as the rose, require a lot of care.
CONSIDERED TO BE (adv.)	We view the church and state as two separate entities.
IN THE MANNER (adv.)	He paid for the room and dinner as agreed. (as we had agreed.)
AT THE TIME (conj)	Please pay as you leave.
WITH THE PURPOSE (conj.)	The speaker spoke so convincingly as to rally everyone to unite.
SINCE / BECAUSE (conj.)	As you are up, will you please get me a glass of water.
THOUGH (conj.)	Smart as he may be, he forgot to consider his own weaknesses.
THAT (pronoun)	I have had the same problem as you have.
TO THE EXTENT (idiom.)	As far as I know, we still aren't done yet.
WHILE (idiom.)	As long as he is here, we'll never have peace!
IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION (idiom.)	I bought the car as is. (in a non-negotiable, no-guarantee condition)
ALSO (idiom.)	They are resourceful, intelligent as well as compassionate.
IN RESPECT TO (idiom.)	As for traveling to the war-zone, I wouldn't advise it.
BEGINNING (idiom.)	As of April 1st, we are no longer accepting credit cards

PRACTICE
1. An easy one: http://www.grammar.cl/Games/Like_vs_As.htm
2. Another short one: http://www.better-english.com/grammar/aslike.htm
2. Lots of exercises to choose from: http://www.tolearnenglish.com/cgi2/myexam/liaison.php?liaison=_as-like_