A prepositional phrase using "like" is a modifier used to modify a noun, thereby creating a comparison.

Like other creative activities, Mathematics is fun.

"Like other creative activities" is a modifier, which modifies "mathematics" and thereby creates a comparison between " mathematics" and "other creating activities".

However "like" cannot be used unless it is part of prepositional phrase modifier.

I approach Mathematics like a creative activity. .. this sentence is wrong because "like a creative activity" is NOT a prepositional phrase modifier used to modify "Mathematics".

Now let us consider the following:

I approach Mathematics as a creative activity.

The original sentence would be as follows (before omission of the repeated parts):

I approach Mathematics as (I approach) a creative activity.

The comparison is between the two ways of approach, not the two nouns directly.

Therefore "as" is correct, and not "like".

Like - used to compare two nouns. As - used to compare two clauses. (A clause is a phrase that includes a verb).


During an ice age, the buildup of ice at the poles and the drop in water levels near the equator speed up the Earth’s rotation, like a spinning figure skater whose speed increases when her arms are drawn in.

(A) like a spinning figure skater whose speed increases when her arms are drawn in
(B) like the increased speed of a figure skater when her arms are drawn in
(C) like a figure skater who increases speed while spinning with her arms drawn in
(D) just as a spinning figure skater who increases speed by drawing in her arms
(E) just as a spinning figure skater increases speed by drawing in her arms

Ans. E

More than thirty years ago Dr. Barbara McClintock, 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

Ans. B
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It's C. If you say the teachers approached blah blah like something, you're implying they're the creative activity.
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I came across choice B because I understand that it is the 'mathematics' that is compared to 'creativity activiy'.

Choice B sounds fine colloquially; if you said it "in real life" no one would notice it's grammatically incorrect. The teachers are approaching math AS a creative activity and not LIKE a creative activity (the teachers themselves aren't the creative activity because that makes no sense). It's like saying they approached the task of approaching mathematics in the form of human creative activities.

That's how I figured it out, anyway.

Okay, you know Madonna's song "Like a Virgin"? If it had been named "As a Virgin" the meaning would have changed.

Another example. "I climbed the mountain like a madman" You are the madman. All good. BUT if you say "I climbed the mountain as (...I would...) a madman", you're saying the mountain is the madman.
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+1 for C.

The operating word here is "[trained to ]approach mathematics " and not "mathematics". The usage of "as" is to indicate "approach creative activity in the same way as you approah mathematics.".

Mathematics is like creative activity . (Correct, here we are comparing mathematics to creative activity).

The dog is trained to treat human being as its friend. (Also correct , though as is between two nouns, the operating word is "trained to treat" ).

Crick

Thanks everyone, this really helps me a lot!
So in summary, I should think about the meaning of the sentence:
Teachers have been trained to approach mathematics as (they would approach) creative activity.
And for this one:
More than thirty years ago Dr. Barbara McClintock, the Nobel Prize winner, reported that genes can “jump” as pearls moving mysteriously from one necklace to another.
It is because genes (like pearl) can jump.
Does this logic makes sense?

Most of the times it would be easy to figure out the difference based on the following rule:

1) Like - used to indicate similarity between two nouns/noun phrases.
2) As - used to indicate similarity between two actions ; used to compare two clauses. (A clause is a phrase that includes a verb).

If you are totally stumped check out the meaning .

Crick

It might be worthwhile to note the multi dimensional role of this diminutive word as

1. Conjunction:

1. To the same degree or quantity that. Often used as a correlative after so or as: The situation is not as bad as you suggest.
2. In the same manner or way that: Please do as I say.
3. At the same time that; while; I slipped on the ice as I ran home.
4. For the reason that, because: I went to bed early, as I was exhausted.

5. Though: A great actor as he was, he proved a bad model.
6. In accordance with which or with the way in which: The hotel is quite comfortable as such establishments go. The climate is hot in May as everyone knows.

In conjunctional use, you may see the two- verb rule in play mostly.

2. Preposition:
1. in the role, capacity, or function of: I am advising you as a GMAT faculty.
2. In a manner similar to, the same as on the issue of globalization, we all think as one.

Now we may see tht the two-verb rule disappears in a prepositional use, since a noun has to always follow a preposition

In addition, there are adverbial and pronoun uses of as, which are less relevant.(source:the freedictionary.com)

E&OE
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No one has been able to explain why "as" is used instead of "like".
According to Magoosh, “like" is useful for comparing nouns, but not useful for comparing actions."
Noun was compared above. Woznit?

Posted from my mobile device

Hi GMATNinja , GMATNinjaTwo .

Please help in figuring out "like vs as" distinction in this question .

Hi sobby,

Sorry neither Charles nor Michael here but here are my 2 cents

As is used in two ways:

#1. Comparison (AS + Clause): Both of the following sentences are correct.

I study like a pro. (like is followed by a noun)
I study as a pro does. (as is followed by a clause)

#2. To present a function/Role (AS+NOUN): There is no comparison you see in the following sentence. As tells Sobby's role at google.
Sobby is working in Google as VP-Operations India.

In the question at hand:
DO you think Mathematics is COMPARED with creative activity here? NO. so it means there is no comparison. so no usage of like or as from the comparison perspective is required.

Mathematics as a creative activity is an example of #2nd type.

TakeAway: This question tries to teach us the the USAGE OF AS "TO PRESENT THE ROLE/FUCNTION".

Hope your doubt is clear.
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Hi HKD1710..

Thanks for explanation..I thought maths is like creative activity..so was baffled seeing as here..
It's clear now.
Bdw I like the google example..

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

egmat. Can you help here as vs like?

Posted from my mobile device

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.

Quick analysis:
1. Parallelism error: either to approach.... or that....: is not parallel.
2. Idiom error: to approach mathematic like a creative activity... "Like" should be replaced by "As". since the sentence is not comparing mathematic with creative activity. Rather, It is saying that teachers have been trained to approach mathematics as to approach a creative activity (math is functioning as a creative activity). This is a little bit tricky if one just glance over without pausing in order to understand the meaning.

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2. Idiom error: to approach mathematic like a creative activity... "Like" should be replaced by "As".

2. Idiom error: to approach mathematic like a creative activity... "Like" should be replaced by "As".

Correct:
1. To approach is parallel to To force.
2. "like" is replaced with "as"

1. Parallelism error: either that .... to force....: is not parallel.

2. Idiom error: to approach mathematic like a creative activity... "Like" should be replaced by "As".
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Hi prags1989,

1. Like: used to compare two nouns.
2. As: used to compare two clause.

If you stop just right here, then the question can trick you to the wrong answer because there is another usage of "as". That is: to show that the noun accompanied by "as" is acting as a role, or a function. For example.

- I like you as a friend.
- As a president of the U.S., Mr. Trump has been trying to do everything he can to protect our country.
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