Preposition and Conjunctions - like / as

Like

Like can be used as a preposition, it means something is similar to or resembles something else. For example:
- She looks like my friend Mona. (She looks similar to Mona)
- She sings like a bird. (Her voice reminds me of a bird)

As

As can be used as a conjunction to show similarity, it means to do something in the same way as something else. For example:
- Do as your teacher says. (Do the same as what your teacher says.)
- I called John as you asked. (I called John, which is the same as what you asked me to do.)

As can also be used as a preposition, it is used to refer to a particular event or situation. For example:
- I used to work as a teacher.
- He's younger than his friends, but they treat him as an equal.
- He started as a one-man business, but now he employs over 200 people.

Like or As?

Like and as (conjunction) can have similar meanings. Here's where you use each one:

Like is used with any kind of noun, for example:
- She's like an angel.
- My brother is like me.
- Reading a book is like having a conversation with the world's greatest thinkers.

As (conjunction) comes before a subject + verb, for example:
- Don't change anything, I like it as it is.
- Do as you like.
- We left early as you suggested.

Like or As?

Like is a preposition. It should be followed by an object to make a prepositional phrase.

As is a conjunction. It should be followed by a clause containing a subject and a verb.

Incorrect: He runs like a gazelle does.
(Like is followed by a clause.)

Correct: He runs like a gazelle.

Correct: He runs as a gazelle does.

Note!

If you do something LIKE a particular kind of person, you do it in the way that kind of person would do it (although you are NOT the kind of person)

e.g. We worked like slaves.

If you do something AS a particular kind of person, you are that kind of person.

e.g. Over the summer she worked as a waiter.

Test

Q1 - His ringtone sounded ____ an alarm.

as
like

Q2 - She drinks ____ a fish.

as
like

Q3 - He's been behaving ____ a child all afternoon.

as
like

Q4 - He works ____ a receptionist three days a week.

as
like

Q5 - Weather ____ this always depresses me.

as
like

Q6 - I'll do it ____ agreed.

as
like

Q7 - I regard them ____ friends.

like
as

Q8 - Considered ____ a whole, the project's very good.

as
like

Q9 - They were late ____ usual.

as
like

Q10 - I gave it to her ____ a present.

as
like

Q11 - Stop acting ____ a fool.

like
as

Q12 - ____ me, she works hard.

As
Like

Q13 - The director behaves ____ a spoilt child.

as
like

Q14 - I feel ____ a holiday.

as
like

KEY

Q1 - His ringtone sounded ____ an alarm.

as

like

Q2 - She drinks ____ a fish.

as

like

Q3 - He's been behaving ____ a child all afternoon.

as

like

Q4 - He works ____ a receptionist three days a week.

as

like

Q5 - Weather ____ this always depresses me.

as

like

Q6 - I'll do it ____ agreed.

as

like

Q7 - I regard them ____ friends.

like

as

Q8 - Considered ____ a whole, the project's very good.

as

like

Q9 - They were late ____ usual.

as

like

Q10 - I gave it to her ____ a present.

as

like

Q11 - Stop acting ____ a fool.

like

as

Q12 - ____ me, she works hard.

As

Like

Q13 - The director behaves ____ a spoilt child.

as

like

Q14 - I feel ____ a holiday.

as

like

2

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