Language Point for the Day. Confusion.

     Confusing Words.

In language Point for the Day for the next few weeks I am going to look at words which are easily confused.

They may be confusing because they have a similar sound in your language but a different meaning or because in English there are two words, when in your language there is just one.

Today I am going to look at as and like which are similar but have different functions.

As

We use as to talk about job or function. 

·        I worked as a shop assistant for 2 years when I was a student.

·         

  He used his shoe as a hammer to hang the picture up.

In comparisons, the structure ‘as adjective as’ is often used.

·        He’s not as tall as his brother

·         

       She ran as fast as she could.

In the following comparisons as is a conjunction – it’s followed by a clause with a subject and a verb.

·         He went to Cambridge University, as his father had before him.

·         

   She’s a talented writer, as most of her family are.

Like

In the following comparisons, like is a preposition and it’s followed by a noun or a pronoun.

·         I’ve been working like a dog all afternoon.

·         

   None of my brothers are much like me.

·         

   She looks just like her mother.

Like and As if/As though

Like, as if and as though can all be used to make comparisons. There is no difference in meaning among the 3 forms.

·         You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.

·         

   You talk as though we’re never going to see each other again.

·         

   It looks like it’s going to rain.

Expressions with ‘as’

The following expressions all use as.

·         As you know, classes restart on January 15th.

·         I tried using salt as you suggested but the stain still didn’t come out.

·         As we agreed the company will be split 50/50 between us.

·         Their house is the same as ours.