Key Difference

• “As” is used to describe the role, function, or identity of someone or something.
• “Like” is used to show similarity between two things or people.

1. Using “As”

“As” often describes:

• A role, function, or job.
• A comparison in structure or function (formal usage).

Examples:

• Describing a role/function:
  • “He works as a teacher.”
    (This means he is a teacher; it’s his role.)
• Formal comparisons:
  • “She sings as a professional does.”
    (She sings in the same way that a professional sings.)

Note:

When using “as” for comparisons, it is often followed by a clause (a complete part of a sentence with a subject and a verb).

2. Using “Like”

“Like” is used:

• To indicate similarity or resemblance between two things or people.

Examples:

• “She runs like a cheetah.”
  (This means she runs fast, similar to a cheetah.)
• “This tastes like chocolate.”
  (This means the taste is similar to chocolate.)

Note:

• “Like” is usually followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (a verb ending in -ing).
  • Correct: “It looks like him.”
  • Incorrect: “It looks like he is…” (Here, use “as if” or “as though.”)

A Quick Analogy

Think of “as” as describing what something truly is, while “like” shows how it resembles something else.

Example:

• “He is working as a waiter.”
  (He is a waiter; that’s his role.)
• “He acts like a waiter.”
  (He isn’t a waiter, but he behaves in a similar way.)

3. Common Mistakes

❌ Incorrect: “I work like a teacher.”
✅ Correct: “I work as a teacher.”
(You are a teacher, not just similar to one!)

❌ Incorrect: “He looks as his father.”
✅ Correct: “He looks like his father.”
(He resembles his father; he isn’t literally his father.)

Practice Time!

Fill in the blanks with “as” or “like”:

1. He works ______ a nurse in the hospital.
2. It looks ______ a storm is coming.
3. You’re behaving just ______ your brother did.
4. This room smells ______ flowers.
5. I used my phone ______ a flashlight in the dark.

Answers:

1. as
2. like
3. like
4. like
5. as