I have struggled with As/ Like and now I can nail any damn SC on the usage. So for those who are still trying to fix the problem
As Vs Like----------
"She sings like her mother" - correct
"She sings as her mother does" - correct
Susan, like her mother, is a good singer. - correct
"She sings like her mother does" - wrong
Joe, like Mary, has a cat. - correct
Joe has a cat, as does Mary. - correct
There are fundamentally 4 differences between "as" and "like".
1. As introduces clauses (which have verbs) and like introduces phrases (which don't have verbs).
2. As clause construction is used to introduce comparisons that are real. Like phrase constructions are preferred when making comparisons that are not real but imaginary. (See the above McClintock example)
3. "As" is also used as a substitute for "in the capacity of". Eg. As the president of USA, George Bush.....
4. Idiomatic differences: Used as (Correct) Used Like (Incorrect) / Regarded as (Correct), Regarded Like (Incorrect). There is just one exception (that I have come across) to the idiomatic constructions using the verb "act", where one has to infer the meaning before using "as/like". "Act as" is used when a function of an inanimate object is described. Eg. In the flood, the wall acted as a dam. However, "act" is followed by like to mean to behave or comport oneself and describes the action of a person. Eg. He acted like a fool.
Lets look at some examples -
1. More than thirty years ago Dr. Barbara Mc-Clintock, the Nobel Prize winner, reported that genes can “jump,”
as pearls moving mysteriously from one necklace to another.(A) as pearls moving mysteriously from one necklace to another
(B) like pearls moving mysteriously from one necklace to another
(C) as pearls do that move mysteriously from one necklace to others
(D) like pearls do that move mysteriously from one necklace to others
(E) as do pearls that move mysteriously from one necklace to some other one
Red flag: "as" is MOST dangerous here.
2.
Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a colony and they would relinquish power only after a long struggle by the native people.
Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a colony and they would relinquish power
Before independence in 1947, Britain had ruled India as a colony and relinquished power
Before its independence in 1947, India was ruled by Britain as a colony and they relinquished power
Before independence in 1947, India had been ruled as a colony by Britain, which relinquished power
Before independence in 1947, India had been a colony of the British, who relinquished power
Red flag : "as" a colony - dangerous
3.
As rare as something becomes, be it a baseball card or a musical recording or a postage stamp, the more avidly it is sought by collectors.
(A) As rare as something becomes, be it
(B) As rare as something becomes, whether it is
(C) As something becomes rarer and rarer, like
(D) The rarer something becomes, like
(E) The rarer something becomes, whether it is
Red flag : As "rare" as is risky. rare is not a noun. You can only compare apples with apples.
4. In the 1980's the rate of increase of the minority population of the united states was nearly
twice as fast as the 1970's.
A.twice as fast as
B.twice as fast as it was in
C.twice what it was in
D.two times faster than that of
E.two times greater than
Red flag : increase AND "as fast as" - redundant
5. In its most recent approach, the comet Crommelin passed the Earth at about the same distance and in about the same position, some 25 degrees above the horizon,
that Halley’s comet will pass the next time it appears.
(A) that Halley’s comet will pass
(B) that Halley’s comet is to be passing
(C) as Halley’s comet
(D) as will Halley’s comet
(E) as Halley’s comet will do
Red flag : as.....do (If the sentence ends in verb, probably its wrong). I'm saying
probably for those who who are going to kill me for this rule
6. Based on recent box office receipts, the public's appetite for documentary films,
like nonfiction books, seems to be on the rise.
A like nonfiction books
B as nonfiction books
C as its interest in nonfiction books
D like their interest in nonfiction books
E like its interest in nonfiction books
Red flag : "as" cannot be used to compare nouns. public's appetite vs its interest. Use "like"
7. Proponents of artificial intelligence say they will be able to make computers that can
understand English and other human languages, recognize objects, and reason
as an
expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns,
deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as these.(A) as an expert does—computers that will be used to diagnose equipment
breakdowns, deciding whether to authorize a loan, or other purposes such as
these
(B) as an expert does, which may be used for purposes such as diagnosing
equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan
(C) like an expert—computers that will be used for such purposes as diagnosing
equipment breakdowns or deciding whether to authorize a loan
(D) like an expert, the use of which would be for purposes like the diagnosis of
equipment breakdowns or the decision whether or not a loan should be
authorized
(E) like an expert, to be used to diagnose equipment breakdowns, deciding
whether to authorize a loan or not, or the like
Red flag : To think like an expert. The usage of "like" is adverbial modifier. "Like an expert" modifies "think". Like is NOT comparing nouns.
8. The use of gravity waves, which do not interact with matter
in the way electromagnetic waves do, hopefully will enable astronomers to study the actual formation of black holes and neutron stars.
A) in the way electromagnetic waves do, hopefully will enable
B) in the way electromagnetic waves do, will, it is hoped, enable
C) like electromagnetic waves, hopefully will enable
D) like electromagnetic waves, would enable, hopefully
E) such as electromagnetic waves do, will, it is hoped, enable
Red flag : In GMAT "such as" can only be used to introduce examples. You can compare apples and apples. Here "like" cannot be used to compare "use" of gravity waves with "electromagnetic waves" which is a noun
9. Salt deposits and moisture threaten to destroy the
Mohenjo-Daro excavation in Pakistan, the site of an
ancient civilization
that flourished at the same time
as the civilizations in the Nile Delta and the river
valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates.
(A) that flourished at the same time as the
civilizations
(B) that had flourished at the same time as had
the civilizations
(C) that flourished at the same time those had
(D) flourishing at the same time as those did
(E) flourishing at the same time as those were
Red flag : If you don't know the idiom "same x as y" this SC is not for you.
10. According to a recent poll, owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land is still a goal of a majority of young adults,
like that of earlier generations.
a) like that of earlier generations
b) as that for earlier generations
c) just as earlier generations did
d) as have earlier generations
e) as it was of earlier generations
Red flag : You can only compare apples with apples. E compares goal Vs goal.
11. In Hungary,
as in much of Eastern Europe, an overwhelming proportion of women work, many of which are in middle management and light industry.
A. as in much of Eastern Europe, an overwhelming proportion of women work, many of which are in
B. as with much of Eastern Europe, an overwhelming proportion of women works, many in
C. as in much of Eastern Europe, an overwhelming proportion of women work, many of them in.
D. like much of Eastern Europe, an overwhelming proportion of women works, and many are.
E. like much of Eastern Europe, an overwhelming proportion of women work, many are in.
Red flag : Focus on comparison first. Apples with apples only.
12. There are hopeful signs that we are shifting away from our heavy reliance on fossil fuels; more than ten times as much energy is
generated through wind power now than it was in 1990.
A. generated through wind power now than it was
B. generated through wind power now as it was
C. generated through wind power now as was the case
D. now generated through wind power as it was
E. now generated through wind power than was the case
Red flag : As does the comparison. Apples with apples only - case with case. "it" is an evil if no antecedent. BAAAAAAAAAAAD!
13. Officials at the United States Mint believe that the Sacagawea dollar coin will be used
more as a substitute for four quarters rather than for the dollar bill because its weight, only 8.1 grams, is far less than four quarters, which weigh 5.67 grams each.
A) more as a substitute for four quarters rather than for the dollar bill because its weight, only 8.1 grams, is far less than
B) more as a substitute for four quarters than the dollar bill because it weighs only 8.1 grams, far lighter than
C) as a substitute for four quarters more than for the dollar bill because it weighs only 8.1 grams, far less than
D) as a substitute for four quarters more than the dollar bill because its weight of only 8.1 grams is far lighter than it is for
E) as a substitute more for four quarters rather than for the dollar bill because its weight, only 8.1 grams, is far less than it is for
Red flag : If you don't know what "as" is comparing, this SC is not for ya ! Note "for" parallelism.
14.
Like any star of similar mass would do, once the Sun has exhausted the hydrogen in its core, it expands into a red giant, eventually ejecting its outer envelope of gases to become a white dwarf.
(A) Like any star of similar mass would do, once the Sun has exhausted the hydrogen in its core, it expands into a red giant, eventually ejecting
(B) Like any star of similar mass, once the hydrogen in the Sun's core is exhausted, then it expands into a red giant and eventually ejects
(C) As in the case of any star of similar mass, once the hydrogen in the Sun's core is exhausted, it will expand into a red giant, and eventually ejecting
(D) As any star of similar mass would, once the hydrogen in the Sun's core is exhausted it will expand into a red giant and will eventually eject
(E) As would be the case with any star of similar mass, once the Sun exhausts the hydrogen in its core, it will expand into a red giant and eventually eject
Red flag : You can get the answer in 5 secs if you know what "As" is comparing. Otherwise Aasta Lavista baby !
Another point - "will" never takes singular verb.
15.
As it is with traditional pharmacies, on-line drugstores rely on prescriptions to be successful, since it is primarily prescriptions that attract the customers, who then also buy other health-related items.
A. As it is with traditional pharmacies, on-line drugstores rely on prescriptions to be successful
B. As with the case of traditional pharmacies, on-line drugstores rely on prescriptions to have success
C. As is the case with traditional pharmacies, prescriptions are the cornerstone of a successful on-line drugstore
D. As traditional pharmacies, so on-line drugstores rely on prescriptions to be successful
E. Like traditional pharmacies, the cornerstone of a successful on-line drugstore is prescriptions
Red flag : You get the previous one correct. And you get this one too !
16.
Like many others of his generation of Native American leaders, Joseph Brant lived in two worlds; born into an Iroquois community and instructed in traditional Iroquois ways, he also received an education from English-speaking teachers.
(A) Like many others of his generation of Native American leaders, Joseph Brant lived in two worlds;
(B) Like many others of his generation of Native American leaders, living in two worlds, Joseph Brant was
(C) Like many another of his generation of Native American leaders, Joseph Brant, living in two worlds, was
(D) As with many others of his generation of Native American leaders, living in two worlds, Joseph Brant was
(E) As with many another of his generation of Native American leaders, Joseph Brant lived in two worlds;
Red flag : E. Parallel comparison - as with X.... as with Y. Second "with" is missing. But here the catch is we are comparing people with Joseph Brant. Like wins !
17. In one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, fought at Sharpsburg, Maryland, on September 17, 1862, four times as many
Americans were killed as would later be killed on the beaches of Normandy during D-Day.
(A) Americans were killed as
(B) Americans were killed than
(C) Americans were killed than those who
(D) more Americans were killed as there
(E) more Americans were killed as those who
Red flag : "as many X as Y". if you don't know this idiom this SC is not for ya !
18. The value of the dollar in international markets will continue to increase,
as it has been since interest rates began to rise.
(A) as it has been
(B) as it has done
(C) which it has
(D) which it has been
(E) which it had been
Red flag : This SC is not about "As". Its about the "since". With since use present perfect.
19. In the early twentieth century, an extraordinary painter could influence nearly all advanced artists, but today, for any one artist to influence practitioners of genres
as varied as painting, video, and photography is nearly impossible.
(A) as varied as
(B) as varied as are
(C) as varied as those of
(D) that are as varied as your answer
(E) that are as varied as are
Red flag : This SC is eye opener - pay attention to what is being compared. Painter is compared with artist. Genres are compared with painting, video etc
20. Uninformed about students’ experience in urban classrooms, critics often condemn schools’ performance gauged by an
index, such as standardized test scores, that are called objective and can be quantified and overlook less measurable progress, such as that in higher-level reasoning.
A. an index, such as standardized test scores, that are called objective and can be quantified and overlook less measurable progress, such as that
B. an index, such as standardized test scores, that are called objective and can be quantified and overlook less measurable progress, such as what is made
C. an index, such as standardized test scores, that is called objective and can be quantified and overlook less measurable progress, such as what is made
D. a so-called objective index, such as standardized test scores, that can be quantified and overlook less measurable progress, such as what is made
E. a so-called objective index, such as standardized test scores, that can be quantified and overlook less measurable progress, such as that
Red flag : "such as" is used to give examples. Pay attention to what is being compared in the SC.
21.
Like Haydn, Schubert wrote a great deal for the stage, but he is remembered principally for his chamber and concert-hall music.
(A) Like Haydn, Schubert
(B) Like Haydn, Schubert also
(C) As has Haydn, Schubert
(D) As did Haydn, Schubert also
(E) As Haydn did, Schubert also
I believe all of you will get one correct ! Happy ending
OA :
1. B
2. E
3. E
4. C
5. D
6. E
7. C
8. B
9. A
10. E
11. C
12. C
13. C
14. E
15. C
16. A
17. A
18. A
19. A
20. E
21. A
close
Updated on: 12 Jul 2011, 05:22
As Vs Like Consolidated.pdf [336.13 KiB] 
