Including vs such as vs like

Question

I was going through Manhattan SC ( 5th edition), when I noticed :

" Now you might look at the including/like split at the beginning of the choices. Unfortunately this split is not definitive. The GMAT used to claim that like simply meant “similar to” and could not introduce examples. However, the exam writers have moderated this hardline position in published explanations. As a result, either including or like would technically work in the sentence. "

Whenever I used to see like with examples, I used to eliminate the option blindly. Is it no longer true? Does GMAC now allow like for introducing examples?

DmitryFarberMPrep · Answer

Exactly. We used to teach that "like" should not introduce examples, and that's generally a good rule of thumb, but unfortunately GMAC has used it for that purpose in correct answers, so we have to follow their lead.

Aardwolf · Answer

Hi Dmitry,

I found this thread because I read in the OA of Q #76 in Official Guide's Verbal Review (2016 Edition) that "the use of like to mean "for example"   is an acceptable use". I used to follow the "like/such as" distinction for splitting, but as you have mentioned, GMAC has changed its mind about it.

Are you aware of any list of similar changes that have been made, as to avoid being mislead by a false split one is not aware of?

Thank you

mcelroytutoring · Answer

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

miglanisahil6 · Answer

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?

EducationAisle · Answer

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 .

Including vs such as vs like

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