Like, and as in the English language

Let’s talk about a few words, which in some cases can be difficult. Namely, to put before a choice — some of them to use in a particular situation. We are talking about words like and as are in the English language that can be translated as follows: how, how, as similar. These two words are different parts of speech, but we are interested in the use of like as a pretext, and the use of English as not only as a pretext, but union. What is the difference between these two parts of speech? When it is necessary to work with one pretext, and when the other?

Like in English

As already mentioned, like a pretext, and hence, that word should be a noun (like a star, like your business), the pronoun (like you, like that) or a gerund (like singing). It is possible to work with such a structure — like somebody / something + verb-ing.

She is like her mother. — She looks like her mother.

It’s just like him. — That is so like him.

There’s nothing like walking to keep you fit. — There is nothing healthier than walking.

Do you hear the noise? It sounds like a girl shouting. — Do you hear that noise? As if she cries.

The crowd buzzed like a swarm of bees. — The crowd was buzzing like a swarm of bees.

You can ask a reasonable question, why are used like, and not as, because that word is also translated «how»? Yes, transferred, and the value it has is the same. But there is a small but significant difference. We use the like, when we compare two different things. For example:

Her perfume smells like oranges. — Citrus smell her perfume. (but this perfume, not oranges, are two different things)

And as we take when we are talking about something or someone the same. We are talking about something real, real. Often it concerns the operation or use of any object. For example:

Several years ago I worked as a taxi-driver. — A few years ago I worked as a taxi driver. (I am a taxi driver — a man)

We had so many bouquets of flowers that we decided to use two bottles as vases for them. — We have had so many bouquets of flowers, we decided to use two bottles as vases for them. (bottle and vase — it is one and the same thing)

This is the main difference and the like as in the English language.

Of course, the word like — it is not just an excuse, but we all know the verb «to like.» But this part of the speech is not the subject of this article, so touch it we will not. About the verbs in the English language you can read articles devoted to them on our blog.

As from the English

The word as can not be just an excuse, but other parts of speech. For example, Union. As stated earlier, it is a company with like a noun, a pronoun or a gerund. But as we use in the event that it is followed by the subject and the verb, which is usually a predicate. Compare the following sentences:

He’s really a good runner. He runs like a lynx. — He’s a really good runner. He runs like a lynx. (like going after a noun)

Jane’s decision seemed a good one, so we did as she advised. — Decision Jane seemed appropriate, so we did as she advised. (after as is the subject with the predicate — verb)

Note the phrase as usual (as usual), which is used in this form. And remember, in combination such as as word has a different meaning — «for example.»

I’ll phone you tonight as usual. — I’ll call you tonight as usual.

Several cities in Ukraine, such as Sevastopol and Odessa, are called hero-cities. — Several cities in Ukraine, for example, Sevastopol and Odessa, have the title of «Hero City».

This topic is closely related to the other as described in the articles that need to pay attention:

• «Unions in the English language»
• «Coordinative conjunctions in English»
• «Subordinating conjunctions in English»

After reading them, we recommend to pass the following test: «The test for unions in the use of the English sentence.»

 

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Grammar