B1Linking Words

As and Like

What is it?

AS and LIKE both mean "similar to" but are used differently. LIKE (preposition) + noun/pronoun: "She looks like her mother" / "It's like a dream". AS (conjunction) + subject + verb: "Do as I say" / "As I said yesterday...". AS (preposition) = in the role of/function of: "I work as a teacher" (I am a teacher). LIKE = similar to (but not the same): "I work like a teacher" (I'm not a teacher, but similar). Other uses: AS IF/AS THOUGH (seems/appears): "He acts as if he's the boss". SUCH AS (examples): "Fruits such as apples, oranges..."

How to form it

Subject	Positive	Negative	Question
LIKE + noun/pronoun	She looks like her mother. / It's like a dream. / People like me. / Do it like this.	not applicable	What's it like? - It's like a dream.
AS + clause (subject + verb)	Do as I say. / As I said yesterday... / As you know... / Leave it as it is.	not applicable	not applicable
AS = role/function	I work as a teacher. (I am a teacher) / She acts as the manager. / Use it as a tool.	not applicable	What do you work as?
LIKE = similar to (not same)	I work like a teacher. (similar, but not one) / He acts like a child. / It sounds like a car.	not applicable	What's it like?

• LIKE: preposition + noun/pronoun → like her / like a dream / like this
• AS: conjunction + subject + verb → as I said / as you know / as we planned
• AS: preposition = in the role/function of → work as a teacher (I am one)
• LIKE: similar to (but not the same) → work like a teacher (not actually one)
• AS IF/AS THOUGH: + clause (seems/appears) → He acts as if he's rich
• SUCH AS: introduce examples → fruits such as apples, oranges
• LIKE: can introduce examples (informal) → fruits like apples
• AS...AS: comparisons → as tall as / as big as

When to use it

1
LIKE + noun/pronoun — similar to
"She looks like her mother." / "It's like a dream." / "People like you." / "Do it like this." / "He sings like a professional."
2
AS + clause (subject + verb) — conjunction
"Do as I say." (= do what I say) / "As I said yesterday..." / "As you know..." / "Leave it as it is." / "As we agreed..."
3
AS = in the role/function of
"I work as a teacher." (I am a teacher) / "She acts as the manager." / "I used my phone as a flashlight." / "He served as president."
4
LIKE = similar to (not the same)
"I work like a teacher." (similar role, but not one) / "He acts like a child." (not a child) / "It sounds like a car." / "She dances like a professional." (not one)
5
AS IF/AS THOUGH — seems/appears
"He acts as if he's the boss." / "She looks as though she's seen a ghost." / "It sounds as if it's going to rain."
6
SUCH AS — give examples (formal)
"I like fruits such as apples, oranges, and bananas." / "Cities such as London and Paris..." / "Activities such as swimming and running..."

Common mistakes

I work like a teacher. (when you ARE a teacher)

I work as a teacher.

AS = in the role of (you are one). LIKE = similar to (not one).

Do like I say.

Do as I say.

AS (not LIKE) + clause (subject + verb).

She looks as her mother.

She looks like her mother.

LIKE (not AS) + noun for similarity.

As I told you, it's easy. (when followed by noun)

Like I told you, it's easy. (informal) / As I told you, it's easy. (correct)

AS + clause is correct. LIKE + clause is informal/incorrect in formal writing.

Quick reference

LIKE + noun/pronoun: similar to → like her mother
AS + clause: conjunction → as I said
AS = role/function: work as a teacher (I am one)
LIKE = similar: work like a teacher (not one)
AS IF/AS THOUGH: seems → acts as if he's rich
SUCH AS: examples → fruits such as apples

Natural conversation example

Discussing a new coworker

Tom

Have you met the new manager? What's she like?

Lisa

She seems nice. She looks like someone I used to know.

Tom

What does she do? Does she work as a manager or just acting like one?

Lisa

She actually works as a manager. She has experience in companies such as Google and Microsoft.

Tom

Impressive! Does she act as if she's better than everyone?

Lisa

Not at all. She treats people like equals. As I said, she seems really nice.

Tom

Good to hear! I hope she manages the team as well as the previous manager did.

Practice Exercises

Complete with AS or LIKE.

1.
She looks her mother.
2.
Do I say.
3.
I work a teacher. (I am one)
4.
He acts a child.
5.
I said yesterday...
6.
He acts

Purpose All Topics Ever and Never

Now use As and Like in real conversation

Grammar sticks when you use it out loud. Practise with an AI tutor who gives you instant feedback.

Speak with AI Tutor