Master the Difference Between Like and As in English Grammar

1. What is the Difference between Like and As?

Like and as difference in English Grammar is explained in the following article along with its uses.

“Like” means similar to, the same as, or identical to. You cannot use as in the same way.

“As” is used to indicate comparison. It means while or even as.

• What a beautiful room. It is like a painting.
• What does Daniel do? He is a doctor like me.
• Be careful! The grass is wet. It’s like walking on velvet.
• It’s snowing again. I love weather like this.

2. When to use like and as?

Sometimes we use like to say for example.

• Some festivals, like Diwali are enjoyable.
• Some sports like football, unites players.

Use of as before a subject + verb.

• He did his homework as he promised. (=He did what he promised)
• She bought all the vegetables as she needed them.
• I drew the picture as he guided.

Compare like and as in these sentences.

(Like +pronoun)

1. They should have played the game like this.
2. She should have cleaned the room like him.

(as+subject +verb)

1. She should have cut the vegetables as I told her.
2. You should have driven the car as he taught you.

We also say: –

• As I said
• As we discussed
• As I predicted
• As she expected
• As I thought
• As you know
• As I mentioned earlier
• As we agreed
• As I recall

• As you know, Jack is resigning next month. (=you know this already)
• Jabe couldn’t clear the interview as she expected. (=she expected this before)

• As we discussed, we will go on a picnic tomorrow.
• As I predicted, it will rain today.

We can use “as” as a preposition but the meaning is different from like.

As	Like
Tom is the director of a college. As the director, he has to represent the college in events. (‘As the director’= in his position as the director).   During the vacations, this bungalow was used as a hotel. (=So it really was a hotel)	Sue is the principal. Like the director, she also has to represent the college in events. (“Like the director’ = similar to the director).   Everyone is coming and staying in this bungalow. This bungalow is a hotel. (=It isn’t really a bunglow)

3. Are like and as interchangeable?

When “like” and “as” cannot be interchangeable: –

1. Like is used to compare things. It is a preposition.
2. As used to describe the role. It is a conjunction and is sometimes used as a preposition.

Examples: –

• She teaches like a professor. (Comparison)
• She works as a professor. (actual role)

Wrong – She works like a professor.

When “like” and “as” are interchangeable: –

• Play the guitar as I taught you. (= the way I taught you)
• Play the guitar like I taught you. (=less formal)

Word	Function	Example
Like	Preposition	She paints like a painter.
As	Preposition+ conjunction	He works as a manager.

Also Read:-

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2. Difference Between Since and For With Best Examples and Exercise
3. Must and Have to: Surprising Difference Clarity and Exercise
4. Present Perfect Tense Active and Passive Voice Exercise: 50 Sentences
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8. Uses of Used to Exercises, Examples, Sentences in English Grammar
9. https://englishvedas.com/active-and-passive-voice-worksheet-examples/Active and Passive Voice: Worksheet with 100 Examples, Answers, Differences, and Rules Revealed!
10. ‘There Is or There Are’ 100 Sentences Worksheet Examples to Boost Your Grammar Skills!