English Grammar: like vs as

English Grammar: like vs as. It’s true that sometimes we can interchange ‘like’ and ‘as’, but there are other times where the meaning can change quite a bit and can even cause confusion.

LIKE VS AS – CONJUNCTIONS

What’s a conjunction? Conjunctions are words used to connect clauses or sentences, such as: and, but, like and as.

Use
- as/like + subject + verb (clause)
Examples
- Nobody knows how to make him feel better like/as his parents do.
- Like/as she said, few people are interested in art these days.

LIKE VS AS – PREPOSITIONS

When ‘like’ and ‘as’ are used as prepositions, they have different meanings and use.

MEANING

Like
- similar to or the same as
- Like a coach, I try to motivate the kids. (I am not a coach)
As
- in the role/function of
- As a coach, I am responsible for motivating the kids and teaching them how to play. (I am the coach)

USE

Like
- like + noun (phrase) / pronoun
- He sounds like a native speaker.
- Your daughter looks exactly like you.
As
- as + noun(phrase)
- Sometimes, students like to use their teachers as a translator.
- Kelly got a new job as a Personal Assistant.

COMMON MISTAKES

It’s quite easy to mix up ‘like’ and ‘as’ and sometimes it may not cause too much confusion, other times it may. Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid.

LIKE

Use ‘like’ for:
- appearances and behaviour
  - That dark spot looks like a shadow, but it’s a stain.
  - It looks like rain.
- comparing two things
  - He has a cold, like me.
  - Like my colleagues, I am not happy about the changes.

AS

Use ‘as’ to speak about your profession
- He works as a doctor in the Emergency Room. (He is a doctor)
You can use ‘like’ but it will have a different meaning
- She’s a nurse, but her 13-hour shifts are like the doctor’s in the Emergency Room (She is a nurse and her shift has similarities to a doctor’s shifts)