AS-LIKE

USES

(A PIECE OF ADVICE: Over the last years there have been some changes in the use of as/like that only until recently were considered absolutely ungrammatical, and therefore terrible English. Nevertheless, in exams I recommend you take into account the grammar below to make sure that what you write/say will not be considered a heresy that deserves crucifixion)

EXAMPLES

1.    comparison:     “As” here is a conjunction and for this reason it introduces a verb phrase

                      “Like” is a preposition and so it introduces a noun phrase, not a verb phrase

               

                      I cook it as the Nepalese do, with butter. (before clause)

                                   He worked in the factory as his brother had done before. (before clause)

                                   In 2001, as in 2000, there was a drop in the birth rate. (before prep. phrase).

                                   He looked as if he had been trampled over by a herd of elephants.

                                   He swaggers along the street as if he were the king of all humanity.

                                   You can run like a hare (like is a preposition and introduces a noun “hare”)

                                   Such a big adult you are! And you behave like a child, sometimes.

2.   role, job:             We all work together as a team. (role)

     (preposition)       (If you say “like a team” it means that they looked like a team but did not work like one)

                                   She worked as a waitress over the summer. (job)

                                   He used and old plastic bag as a wastepaper basket. (function)

3.   certain verbs:   You have been described as the best footballer of all times.

                                   He’s regarded as a bit of a misfit.

                                   Do you see this job as something you would like to do for a long time.

                                   I’ve always thought of  myself as being middle-of-the road in my views.

4.   equality:             She’s as  tall as me.

      (adverb)              She’s not so tall as her father was.

                                   She isn’t as dark as him.

5.   reason:               As she had been very kind to me, I bought her some flowers.

      (conjunction)     As the weather was so bad we stayed in and played cards.

6.   simultaneity:    As the sun rose, little by little the extent of the damage was revealed to us.

     (conjunction)     As the door swung open, she saw the body slumped over the table.

Conclusion:  “like” is a preposition, as such it can only introduce noun phrases, never verbs.

“as” can be used as preposition, adverb or conjunction; “as” as preposition introduces nouns, as adverb introduces adjectives or other adverbs and as conjunction introduces verbs.

Bibliography:

A grammar of contemporary English, Randolph Quirk et al.

The good grammar, Swan, Michael & Walter, Catherine

A practical English grammar, Thompson A.J. & Martinet A.V.

Make your own examples, for which you must just complete the following sentences with either “as” or “like” as in the most traditional grammar exercises. Say the role in each case. Don’t forget to read each example aloud. This is not the best way to do it for the sake of speaking, but doing nothing about it is even worse. The key: below. Don’t cheat.

1.  The skyscrapers of New York are ………………………… impenetrable cliffs of stone and cement.

2.  She appeared on the screen ………………………… Florence Nightingale.

3.  Since he got that job ………………………… traffic warden, he regards every motorist ………………………… a potential criminal. 

4.  The estate agent described it ………………………… “cosy” and “well-fitted”, but it was …………………………[i]a prison cell. 

5.   John is easy-going ………………………… his mother but Jeff gets worked up about the slightest little thing, just ………………………… his father always does.

 

6.   She worked ………………………… if she had been the owner of the restaurant.

7.   They locked up the whole house ………………………… if they were menaced by terrible monsters.

8.   ………………………… a boy, I used to like going for long walks in the early morning.

9.   ………………………… they did not turn up on time, they decided to leave.

10. My daughter’s favourite game is to dress up ………………………… nurses and play hospitals.

11. I’m a very fussy person, who wants everything to be in its right place. I’m ………………………… you in that way.

12. ………………………… she had never had spirits before, she was drunk after a sip.

13. In America, ………………………… in Europe, unemployment is a growing problem.

14. Andy drinks ………………………… a fish! I’ve never seen anybody drink so much.

15. ………………………… they approached the place, they became aware of the damage caused by the floods.

KEY

1.      comparison – like

2.      role – as

3.      job – as / after certain verbs – as

4.      after certain verbs – as

5.      comparison – like / comparison – as

6.      comparison – as

7.      comparison – as

8.      role – as

9.      reason – as

10.    comparison – as

11.    comparison – like

12.    reason – as

13.    comparison – as

14.    comparison – like

15.    simultaneity - as