as or like?

User since 2007
Posts: 69

27 April 2008

Hello!

I have a problem with 'like' and 'as' because I don't know when I have to use like and when as. Both of them can use to make comparisons and translate in German it means the same: wie.
Can you help me?

Bye,
Kathi

Angela7

User since 2007
Posts: 1

5 May 2008

Mhh so what is the difference???
When i need to use As and when i need to use LIKE

AhQ ['a: kiu]

User since 2006
Posts: 2715

6 May 2008

As I read your two lines, Angela, I wanted to tell you that in cases 1; 3 and 4 you could use as or like at your best convenience.
But "as" has a lot of other uses (for instance the one I used starting this reply) where like can't be used.
Look up in a grammar, a dictionary or your GymGlish workbook.

AhQ ['a: kiu]

User since 2006
Posts: 2715

28 April 2008

Hello Kathi.
I can tell you my mind about it.
TO MAKE COMPARISONS is at stake, eh. Because both particle have a lot of functions.
Let's look at them as PREPOSITIONS by comparing the two.

Like as preposition:
1. similar to; having the characteristics of. "This house is like a barn.""His face is like a mask."
***2. typical of. "It was like Kathi to start a tale."
3. similarly to; in the manner of. "Kathi acts like a good learner."
4. such as. "A subject like grammar must be at stake here."

As as preposition:
1. similar to; having the characteristics of. "This house is as a barn.""His face is as a mask".
2. (does not suit here)
3. similarly to; in the capacity, condition or role of. "Kathi acts as a good writer." "Jack works as an editor."
4. (I would rather use SUCH AS in that function) "A subject such as grammar"
[I wonder whether one could say: a subject as grammar. I for one would prefer to say: A subject like grammar.]

Any reader who could help us out on that matter will be thanked in advance.

Hello Kathi. 
 I can tell you my mind about it. 
 TO MAKE COMPARISONS is at stake, eh. Because both particle have a lot of functions. 
 Let's look at them as PREPOSITIONS by comparing the two.  
 
 
 Like as preposition: 
 1. similar to; having the characteristics of. "This house is like a barn.""His face is like a mask." 
 ***2. typical of. "It was like Kathi to start a tale." 
 3. similarly to; in the manner of. "Kathi acts like a good learner." 
 4. such as. "A subject like grammar must be at stake here."  
 
 
 As as preposition: 
 1. similar to; having the characteristics of. "This house is as a barn.""His face is as a mask". 
 2. (does not suit here) 
 3. similarly to; in the capacity, condition or role of. "Kathi acts as a good writer." "Jack works as an editor." 
 4. (I would rather use SUCH AS in that function) "A subject such as grammar" 
 [I wonder whether one could say: a subject as grammar. I for one would prefer to say: A subject like grammar.]  
 
 
 Any reader who could help us out on that matter will be thanked in advance.

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