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Topic: As/ like |
20 February 2003 |
We often think that we can use as and like interchangeably, but that's not true.
Otherwise, they wouldn't find themselves in this column.
Let's have a look at the following pair of examples.
WRONG: It is raining like it was last night
RIGHT: It is raining as it was last night.
RIGHT: It's raining like last night.
WRONG: He takes a pill every four hours like his doctor advises.
RIGHT: He takes a pill every four hours as his doctor advises.
RIGHT: He takes a pill every four hours like other patients with a bad cold.
From the above example, we learn that we use like
and as to make a comparison.
However, like is used as a preposition.
Therefore, it's followed by a noun while as is used
with a clause because it's an adverb clause marker or a conjunction.
Even though they have the same meaning and most people even native speakers get them
mixed up all the time, you should be careful when using like and as.
What makes it more confusing is that as can be
a preposition and we can use it with nouns as well.
For example:
John is as tall as his brother, Bill
Sometimes she works as a waitress in her parents' restaurant.
Gorge is still as fat as before.
Please note that as, as a conjunction.
has various meanings. It can be a cause and effect marker, a time marker,
and a manner marker. Its meaning depends on the context.
However, as (conj.) is always used with a clause
(subject + verb)
For example:
He had to go to the corner store as there was
no milk in the house. (cause/effect) It can be replaced by since or because.
She smelled the gas as she walked into the room. (time) You can use when
or once instead.
You should do as the police say. (manner)
Like (preposition) + noun
As (conjunction) + subject and verb (clause)
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Exercise: As and Like |
| Directions : Complete the sentences with the most appropriate words. |
 1.It is raining _______ mad outside. |
| 2.You should clean up your room _______ your mother told you to. |
| 3.She looks just _______ her sister. |
| 4.She is as beautiful _______ her sister is. |
| 5.Things are not _______ what they seem. |
| 6.We never imagined things would be _______ this. |
| 7._______ he laid eyes on her, he knew she was the one. |
| 8.She made him feel great _______ he never has before. |
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Answers |
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