Look at these examples to see how as and like are used.
I worked as an actor for two years.
I went home early as I felt ill.
He looks as if he hasn't slept.
As you know, this is the third time I've had to complain.
He looks like his dad.
She's like a sister to me.
Try to do something relaxing, like reading a book or having a bath.
Try this exercise to test your grammar.
- Grammar test 1
Read the explanation to learn more.
Grammar explanation
as and like are often confused since they can both be used for comparisons. There are, however, important differences.
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 loves curry as much as I do.
He's not as tall as his brother.
It's not as expensive as the other hotel.
That dog is as big as that child!
You also have to use as in the expression the same as.
Your phone is the same as mine.
Texting is not the same as speaking in person.
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 father to me.
She's acting like a child.
It's like a burger but with big mushrooms instead of bread.
There are lots of people like us.
It is also common to make comparisons using like with verbs of the senses.
She looks like her mother.
It sounds like a cat.
Nothing tastes like homemade lemonade.
It smells like medicine.
It feels like cotton.
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 seen a ghost.
I felt as if I was floating above the ground.
You talk as though we're never going to see each other again.
Giving examples
We can say like or such as to give examples.
You could try a team sport like football, basketball or hockey.
You should take something soft, such as a towel, to lie on.
Talking about a job or function
We can use as + noun to talk about a job or function.
I worked as a shop assistant for two years.
He used his coat as a blanket to keep warm.
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 tickets were sold out as we got there too late.
As the road was closed, I had to park on the next street.
as = 'while' or 'during the time that'
She called as I was getting out of the bath.
As they were arriving, we were leaving.
as = 'in the way that'
As we expected, it started to rain.
As you know, classes restart on 15 January.
As I said, I think this project will be a challenge.
** Note that in informal speech, people sometimes say like for 'in the way that'.
Like I said, I didn't know her.
Do this exercise to test your grammar again.
- Grammar test 2
Hi teachers,
I saw one example sentence from the University of Cambridge (from their dictionary) which is: 'The floods were rising and it was as if it was the end of the world.'
Could you please explain why we dont write '... as if it HAD BEEN the end of the world.' instead?
Thank you very much!
Dung
Hi Dung,
Had been (past perfect) shows that the action (the end of the world) happened earlier than the other past action. However, in this sentence, the rising floods themselves are what seem like the end of the world (i.e., it is at the same time as the floods). Does that make sense?
Jonathan
The LearnEnglish Team
I am not a teacher but I've noticed something it might help or not. Anyway, it says 'You LOOK as if you HAVE seen a ghost.' and the other example is 'The floods WERE rising and it WAS as if it WAS the end of the world.'
The first verbs give an idea about the time they were talking about so I believe we can understand the time and continue with a needed time.
But of course this is my idea it might be wrong as well. I reckon we need to look for more examples.
Hello!
This topic was very interesting, and I learned as much as I could about it. they are used for comparison. Thanks
Very useful for me, thank you.
hello have a great time
i need to understand and learn english as well as native language 'cause i am going to keep on my education in english language university.
my major will be medical sciences.
how can i progress earlier?
thanks alot for your reply
Hello zahra khawari,
That sounds like a great plan. I'd suggest you start working in our Skills section, where you can find lots of materials at different levels. If you already know your level, you can start with the materials at that level; if you don't know your level, try out quick level test (https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/online-english-level-test). As you work, if you find it too difficult, try a lower level; if you find it very easy, try a higher level.
You might also want to consider our Online courses (https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/online-courses), where you can choose from several paid options.
Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello teachers,
Would you please explain, which is correct from the following sentences.
-He treated me as if I made mistake.
-He treated me as if I had made mistake.
If both are correct, what is the difference?
Thank you, team.
Hello Risa warysha,
The second one is the correct form. The 'had made' form refers to an unreal past action, i.e. one that did not actually occur.
The 'made' form (in the first sentence) could only refer to the same time period as 'treated' or a later time period, but these don't make any sense as far as I can tell. One could possibly say 'He treated me as if I were making a mistake' to refer to an action happening at the same time as 'treated', but not 'made'.
Hope that clears it up for you.
All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
It is really helpful.