https://gmatclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/fresh-1D.png https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/As+Like.png Update: Just added the free concept on Like (first of 4 concepts) on e-GMAT. Just register at e-GMAT and get cracking. The concept contains 10 questions + 5-6 additional examples. Two seemingly simple words – like and as – often create havoc in the minds of test takers when they both appear in the answer choices in a sentence correction question. People wonder about the following two points: https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Celebrating-Milestones1.png 1. For stating comparison should I use “as” or “like”? 2. When is “as + noun” correct and when is “as + clause” correct? Lets consider for example the following GMATPrep question. As with those of humans, the DNA of grape plants contains sites where certain unique sequences of nucleotides are repeated over and over. A. As with those of humans, the DNA of grape plants contains sites where B. As human DNA, the DNA of grape plants contain sites in which C. As it is with human DNA, the DNA of grape plants, containing sites in which D. Like human, the DNA of grape plants contain sites where E. Like human DNA, the DNA of grape plants contains sites in which The two main things to keep in mind to solve such questions are as follows: • Understand what meaning like and as communicate • Understand the intended meaning of the sentence so that you can wisely choose the appropriate word. In this article we will first discuss why there is a confusion with regards to usage of like and as. Then we will apply our knowledge in a structured step by step manner to solve the above GMATprep question. LIKE AND AS - THE POINT OF CONFUSION ‘As’ plays multiple roles and thereby is used in different grammatical constructions, one of which coincides with how like is used. https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Table-1.png Both ‘like’ and ‘as’ are used for stating a comparison . So often people are confused whether they should use ‘like’ or ‘as’ to state the comparison. Furthermore, ‘as’ is also used to present function . And this brings us to another point of confusion. How to use 'as' correctly when presenting a comparison and when presenting a function. The table below provides the answers. Note the similarity in usage between the shaded portions. https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Table-2.png Because ‘as’ and ‘like’ are followed by nouns but they do so while presenting two different meanings, there is often a confusion regarding the intended meaning communicated by the sentence and the grammatical correctness of the sentence. https://gmatclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/gmat2-banner11-e1373945998281.jpg Now lets see this in detail. LIKE AND AS -STATE COMPARISON Both ‘like’ and ‘as’ are used to state comparisons. For example: • Amy takes care of the children in the day care like a mother.  • Amy takes care of the children in the day care as a mother does. Both sentences are correct. Both the sentences above convey the meaning that Amy takes care of the children “in the same way” as a mother takes care of her children. But notice the usage here – ‘like’ is followed by a noun and ‘as’ is followed by a clause. This grammatical construction should be kept in mind. https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/TA1.png AS - CAN ALSO PRESENT FUNCTION Apart from stating comparison, “as” can also be used to state “role” or “function”. For example: John has joined the organization as a researcher. In this sentence, ‘as’ does not show a comparison. This sentence implies that John is indeed a researcher in the new organization. Notice that per this sentence John has not been compared to a researcher. John is indeed a researcher. So his role has been presented. And hence ‘as’ is used to present role or function of a person. Notice the grammatical construction – ‘as’ has been followed by a noun. This should always be kept in mind. https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/TA2.png https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FT-GC-FB-event-e1532524398949.jpg LIKE AND AS – CONFUSION RESOLUTION Now that we understand the source of confusion between like and as, lets see how we can resolve this confusion. The most sure shot way of resolving this confusion is to understand from the context of the sentence whether a comparison needs to be presented or function needs to be presented. Once you determine this, then you may use like and as appropriately to state the intended meaning. Lets take John’s example again: John has joined the organization as a researcher. Here is my thought process: Step 1. I see the word “as”. Step 2 . I ask the question – “does the sentence intend to draw a comparison or state a role”? Step 3 . I answer the question from the context – i. John has joined the organization. ii. Lets first find out if comparison makes sense here. • Saying that John has joined organization as a researcher does – is non-sensical. It is not a common characteristic of a researcher to join organization. So stating comparison is not logical here. iii. Lets now find if role has been presented here. • Saying that John will play a role of a researcher in this new organization makes perfect sense. So here as has been used to present role. Step 4 . I check if grammatically “as” has been used appropriately. i. Yes, since “as” is used to present function, it should be followed by a noun. In this sentence “a researcher” is a noun. So correct. Lets take another example: John has joined Biotech industry as his brother. Here is my thought process: Step 1 . I see the word “as”. Step 2 . I ask the question – “does the sentence intend to draw a comparison or state a role”? Step 3 . I answer the question from the context – i. John has joined the organization. ii. Lets first find out if comparison makes sense here. • Saying that John has joined biotech industry as his brother did makes sense. His brother joined biotech industry and so did John. So stating comparison is logical here. iii. Lets now make sure that stating a “role” is clearly non-sensical • Saying that John will play a role of his own brother in biotech industry is non-sensical. What does being a brother in an industry mean? Nothing. Yes being a researcher in an industry means something but not being a brother. So notice how context drives the logical and illogical meaning. Step 4 . I check if grammatically “as” has been used appropriately. i. No, since “as” is used to present comparison, it should be followed by a clause. In this sentence “his brother” is a noun and hence this sentence is not correct. It should be corrected in one of the following ways: • John has joined Biotech industry as his brother did . • John has joined Biotech industry like his brother. STRUCTURED APPROACH TO SOLVING GMAT SC QUESTIONS https://gmatclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/gmat2-banner11-e1373945998281.jpg With this understanding, now we can solve the GMATPrep question. Here we will integrate our knowledge of as and like with e-GMAT 3-step process. 1. Understand the meaning of the original sentence. 2. Determine the errors in the original sentence. 3. Apply process of elimination to find the correct answer. Our knowledge of “like” vs “as” will be applicable in step 1 – we will determine the intended role of the word in the context of the sentence. Then our knowledge of grammatical construction of like and as will be applicable in step 2 – we will make sure that the word has been used appropriately. Free Course Can you apply the process above to solve the GMATPrep question above. Few of you who articulate the solution well will get OG Verbal SC solutions - our Video course for SC solutions in OG Verbal Second solution - a $39 value free of charge. Get cranking as we will declare the results by June 7. Need more detail and practice - Try the e-GMAT course We recently launched the in depth series in the e-GMAT course where we cover some fundamental concepts in more detail and clarity. The in-depth series is designed especially to help non natives excel on GMAT Verbal. As a part of As Vs. Like coverage in this series, we have we have developed 4 files. We will be releasing these files as a part of the free trial at different intervals over the next week. Register at e-GMAT.com to view these concepts. 1. Like Concept File – This file explains how like should be used correctly in a sentence. In all there 15 example sentences and 10 questions in the quizzes in this concept file. 2. As Concept File – This file explains the various functions of as. In all there are 6 examples and 8 questions in the quiz. 3. Like vs As Concept File – In this file we first explain the source of confusion between as and like. Then we discuss how this confusion should be resolved and how this process can be used when solving SC questions. We present the confusion and its resolution using 6 different examples. We also solve 3 official SC questions using the suggested approach. 4. Like Vs. As Application File – Like a typical SC application file, you will first attempt 8 SC questions and then you will be able to view detailed solutions. Regards, Payal Tandon

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As Vs Like: Correct and Incorrect usages

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maggie27

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09 Oct 2014, 14:21

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Hi Payal,
Please guide me on the below question.

Teachers in this country have generally been trained either to approach mathematics like a creative activity or that they should force students to memorize rules and principles without truly understanding how to apply them.

a) to approach mathematics like a creative activity or that they should force students to memorize rules and principles

b) to approach mathematics like a creative activity or to force students to memorize rules and principles

c) to approach mathematics as a creative activity or to force students to memorize rules and principles

d)that they should approach mathematics as a creative activity or to force students to memorize rules and principles

e)that they should approach mathematics like a creative activity or that they should force students to memorize rules and principles

I think here we are trying to compare "mathematics" with "creative ability"(do not think here "as" can be used as a function) , hence 2 nouns are being compared. I opted for B but the correct answer is C.
Please help me understand whats wrong in my thinking.

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egmat

1. Like Concept File – This file explains how like should be used correctly in a sentence. In all there 15 example sentences and 10 questions in the quizzes in this concept file.
2. As Concept File – This file explains the various functions of as. In all there are 6 examples and 8 questions in the quiz.
3. Like vs As Concept File – In this file we first explain the source of confusion between as and like. Then we discuss how this confusion should be resolved and how this process can be used when solving SC questions. We present the confusion and its resolution using 6 different examples. We also solve 3 official SC questions using the suggested approach.
4. Like Vs. As Application File – Like a typical SC application file, you will first attempt 8 SC questions and then you will be able to view detailed solutions.

Regards,

Payal Tandon

Payal,

I know we usually use as for stating examples but is there any case in which like is also used??

Thanks!

hheena19

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egmat

Payal,

I know we usually use as for stating examples but is there any case in which like is also used??

Thanks!

eeshanee14

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hi,
could anyone explain why- it's never correct to say "was as that of XYZ."

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29 Sep 2016, 23:58

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Please suggest which of the following are correct and what would be the corrected version of those that are incorrect:

1. Emily has as little money as I.
2. My friend doesn’t have as much work as Sam.

piyush_89

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30 Sep 2016, 00:21

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Hi Payal,

Can you please provide some insight into how to deal with statements which compare the quantity of two objects using "as".
Eg.: "This rock weighs twice as much as that one."

In these cases, I find the concept of "clause with a verb" after "as" not applicable. Kindly help.

sayantanc2k

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01 Oct 2016, 03:40

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piyush_89

The example you have mentioned is of the idiomatic usage of "as...as...".

"As" with clause and " like" with noun is altogether a different topic.

Like my brother, I am fond of football.
As my brother is, I am fond of football.

These usages are not be mixed up with the as... as... usage.

mkabra123

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18 Dec 2016, 09:39

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H Payal,

I have a doubt with the usage of like in the below example:

Amy takes care of children in the daycare like a mother.

I understand that like is used to compare two nouns; however, isn't 'mother' referred here as a role/function. As per the post, for stating function we use As+Noun, so shouldn't the correct sentence be ........... as a mother?

Please let me know your thoughts on the same.

Thanks!

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19 Dec 2016, 10:24

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piyush_89

Can you please provide some insight into how to deal with statements which compare the quantity of two objects using "as".
Eg.: "This rock weighs twice as much as that one."

In these cases, I find the concept of "clause with a verb" after "as" not applicable. Kindly help.

Hi piyush_89, of course there is a verb; just that it's not visible:), because it's implied.

The sentence is: This rock weighs twice as much as that one (weighs).

Hope it is now evident that weighs is implied.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses As Vs Like, its application and examples in significant detail. If someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.

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19 Dec 2016, 10:30

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mkabra123

I have a doubt with the usage of like in the below example:

Amy takes care of children in the daycare like a mother.

I understand that like is used to compare two nouns; however, isn't 'mother' referred here as a role/function. As per the post, for stating function we use As+Noun, so shouldn't the correct sentence be ........... as a mother?

Hi mkabra123, let's slightly simplify the sentence.

Amy takes care of children like a mother.

This is a valid sentence. The following would also be valid:

Amy takes care of children as a mother.

However, rather than interpreting Amy's role/function as a mother, a better way to interpret this sentence would be:

Amy takes care of children as a mother (takes care of children).

So, basically "as" has two main functions:

i) Preposition (role/function)
ii) Conjunction (connects two clauses, as is the case here)

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses As Vs Like, its application and examples in significant detail. If someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.

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19 Dec 2016, 10:32

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mkabra123

"Like" is alright - the comparison is between "a mother" and "Amy" - not the function of a mother and function of Amy. The comparison will be more clear if the comparison phrase is relocated:
Like a mother, Amy takes care of children in the daycare.

If the functions are required to be compared, then the sentence should be:
Amy takes care of children in the daycare as a mother DOES.

The sentence "Amy takes care of children in the daycare as a mother." has a different meaning altogether. This sentence implies that Amy herself is the mother - "as" is used to mean "in the role of".

egmat

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mkabra123 - I believe sayantanc2k and EducationAisle have already addressed the concern you raised. Take a look at the Like vs As concept file in our free trial if you need more explanation or simply more practice. We have more than 20 questions that test this concept there. Take a look at the help video below on learn how to access the free trial.

https://e-gmat.wistia.com/medias/gcqikwkiq4

Regards,

Rajat Sadana

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30 Sep 2017, 05:22

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Hey Shraddha egmat,

Can you help me with the below GMATPrep EP1 question? The word "as" is neither used to compare clauses nor used to suggest some function (as + noun)

https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-steel-in ... 73197.html

According to the comments on the thread, it is used in place of because. I though as has only two functions and didn't have any other functions at all. Hence I eliminated the right choice during the exam. Can you put some light on all other uses of "as" ?

Please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks

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Like many self-taught artists, Perle Hessing did not begin to paint until she was well into middle age.

(A) Like

(B) As have

(C) Just as with

(D) Just like

(E) As did

What's wrong with E?

tamal99

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Hello egmat,
Thanks a for this detailed discussion.
Well,I have a little doubt- As you stated an example of correct use of LIKE by this sentence -

Amy takes care of the children in the day care like a mother.

Now if I modify the sentence a little (two ways) -

1. Amy takes care of the children in the day care like a mother, who is........
2. Amy takes care of the children in the day care like a perfect mother.

Now, whether the use of like in these two modified sentences will be okay?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Tamal

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19 Jun 2018, 01:01

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tamal99

Hey Tamal,

I am not an expert but here are my thoughts

Both the sentences you mentioned are grammatically and logically correct. The first sentence is followed by a non-essential modifier that describes the mother. The comparison between amy and mother is still intact and correct. Hence it is correct

The second one adds an adjective "perfect" to mother, even then the sentence stands correct because we are trying to compare amy to a "perfect mother".The sentence is correct with no errors

Hope this helps

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19 Jun 2018, 03:03

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pikolo2510

tamal99

Hi pikolo2510,
Thanks for your reply. I do agree with you on this. Well based on thais understanding could you please share your thoughts on this problem-
https://gmatclub.com/forum/just-as-phot ... 68247.html

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