Including vs such as vs like

Unfortunately, sometimes we have to distinguish between real English grammar and GMAT grammar, which is based on business-style writing and will occasionally accept commonly-used expressions that are technically incorrect, such as using "like" to precede an example ("such as" is the correct usage) or writing "I am taller than Jim" instead of "I am taller than Jim is."

Let's just hope that the GMAT doesn't start defining "literally" as "figuratively," as some English dictionaries have already done. I understand that language is a living and breathing thing, and that usage rules (along with conventions) change over time, but that's going a step too far.

-Brian

I Noticed in the 6th edition, they have changed it again and now it says that examples should always be introduced with including and one starting with like needs to be eliminated. so what's the position on that as per GMAT?

Hi miglanisahil6, the usage of like to give examples, has been a debatable topic on GMAT.

One of the official explanations in an older OG (I don't recollect which one) mentioned that usage of like to give examples, is incorrect.

On the other hand, as recently as in OG17, following official example uses like to give examples:

Especially in the early years, new entrepreneurs may need to find resourceful ways, like renting temporary office space or using answering services, to make their companies seem large and more firmly established that they may actually be.

The silver lining is that like is present in the non-underlined portion in the above example. So, I continue to believe that when it comes to giving examples in the underlined portion, we can continue with our preference for such as/including over like.