Usage of As v/s Like

Question

Mostly in sentence correction questions, the presence of either like or as refers to the comparison. Let's discuss the usage of like and as in detail.

Like : As most of us aware that, Like always follows by either Noun or Pronoun. But three important things to keep in mind are 
1) The sentence should make sense both logically and grammatically. For example, you cannot compare the taste of apples to the size of the oranges right. 
2) Like, should never be used to provide the examples.
3) Usage should not create an unambiguous comparison. For example, Siri needs a guitar like Robert. This sentence leads to two possible scenario's.
 a) Both Siri and Robert need a guitar.
 b) Siri needs a guitar like the one, which Robert holds.

As : Whenever you see As in a sentence, make sure it should convey any one of the following four scenario's. As can be used to,
1) Provide a comparison between the two clauses.
2) Provide two simultaneous actions. For example, As I walked in the subway, I saw a museum.
3) Provide a reason for the action. For example, Ron walks for an hour daily, as he wants to be healthy.
4) To convey the role of a person or thing. For example, Ron has been working in a company, as a researcher.

Hope this helps you to understand the usage of Like v/s As.

Please give kudos if you like my post!

J2S2019 · Answer

sirivel  Thanks for the post.

saukrit · Answer

sirivel : Great post. A good start i must say

MahmoudFawzy · Answer

Thanks  sirivel

I would like to add on extra point concerning "As".

"As" is used in some idiomatic expressions that we should aware of:

(i) such as ( to mention examples)
(ii) as yet = so far / till now (eg. the damage is as yet undetermined)
(iii) as well = too (eg. I like chocolate as well)
(iv) X as well as Y = Not only Y, but also X ("as well as" doesn't mean "and")
(v) as far as = to the extent that (eg. as far as I am concerned it is no big deal)
(vi) so ... as to = in order to (to illustrate cause/effect relationship)
(vii) as to = about (eg. there is disagreement as to the cause of the fire)
(viii) as for = concerning/regarding (eg. I arrived, but as for the others, they will be late)
(ix) as ... as (to compare items either in positive or negative statements i.e: "as big as" or "not as big as")
(x) so ... as (to compare items in negative statement only i.e: "not so big as")

himanshu0123 · Answer

Hi,

Please guide.

In the sentence below, have we used 'as' for comparison b/w two clauses?

I think the first past is a clause and 2nd part is a noun (works of 13th century)

Whats the intended meaning here?

paintings have been appreciated as the works of the 13th century artists rather than the 14th century ones.

Aditim12 · Answer

I believe that the meaning here is that paintings are recognised as art made by 13th century artists and not 14th century artists. 
Basically, implying that 13th century artists made the painting.

Posted from my mobile device

RonTargetTestPrep · Answer

This is an altogether different kind of "as". It's not the conjunction "as" (which is used to set up a comparison between two clauses); it's the preposition "as", which is followed by a more general category/classification to which something belongs, is ascribed, bears a resemblance, etc.
It's the same preposition that appears in sentences like  Dara dressed up as a wolf for Hallowe'en.

(In this sentence, "appreciate" isn't the verb you want; I think you're looking for something more like "classified" or "categorized".)

himanshu0123 · Answer

It was very nicely explained. Thanks Ron!

RonTargetTestPrep

RonTargetTestPrep · Answer

You're welcome. Thanks for the kind words. R

Usage of As v/s Like

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