Where to use as and like in a sentence?

Do you know how to use like and as? Enhance your knowledge with a lesson given below and the grammar explanation to guide you better.

Look at these examples to see how as and like are used.

• I worked as a chef for five years.

• I left the party early as I was feeling tired.

• She seems as if she’s really happy today.

• As you mentioned, this is the second time we've met.

• He runs like the wind when he's playing football.

• She's like a mentor to me.

• Try to do something enjoyable, like painting or taking a walk.

Grammar explanation - Using 'enough'

as and like are often confused since they can both be used for comparisons. There are, however, important differences.

1. Making comparisons

• as + adjective + as and as much as

We often use the structure as + adjective + as or as much as to say if something has, or doesn't have, the same amount of that quality as something else.

• She enjoys hiking as much as I do.

• He's not as quick as his friend.

• This car isn't as fast as the other one.

• That elephant is as heavy as a small car!

You also have to use as in the expression the same as.

• Your backpack is the same as mine.

• Walking is not the same as running.

2. like + noun

In the following comparisons, like is followed by a noun or a pronoun to say that two things are similar.

• He's like a brother to me.

• She's behaving like an adult.

• It’s like a pizza but with zucchini instead of cheese.

• There are many people like you.

It is also common to make comparisons using like with verbs of the senses.

• She resembles her sister.

• It sounds like a piano.

• Nothing tastes like freshly baked cookies.

• It smells like fresh flowers.

• It feels like silk.

3. as if/as though + clause

As if and as though can be used to compare a real situation to an imaginary situation. They are followed by a clause (a subject and verb).

• You look as if you've just run a marathon.

• I felt as if I were dreaming.

• You speak as though we’ve been friends forever.

4. Giving examples

We can say like or such as to give examples.

• You could try an individual sport like tennis, swimming, or golf.

• You should bring something warm, such as a jacket, for the evening.

5. Talking about a job or function

We can use as + noun to talk about a job or function.

• I worked as a graphic designer for three years.

• He used his hat as a sunshade during the picnic.

6. as to connect two phrases

as can be used as a conjunction to connect two phrases. It can have different meanings.

as = 'because'

• All the roads were closed as we arrived late.

• As the weather was bad, we decided to stay indoors.

as = 'while' or 'during the time that'*

• She texted me as I was finishing dinner.

• As they were leaving, we were arriving.

as = 'in the way that'*

• As we discussed, the event will take place next week.

• As you suggested, we'll meet at noon.

• As I mentioned, I believe this plan will work.

Note that in informal speech, people sometimes say like for 'in the way that'.

• Like I mentioned, I had never been there before.

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