“Like” vs. “As”: When to use which

Definition of “like”

The word “like” can be used to communicate similarity between two things. Here are some examples:

• Her house is large, like a mansion.
• The couch is blue, like the sky.
• My son looks like me.

Like can be used as a preposition which is followed by a noun or a pronoun, or it can be used as a conjunction which is followed by a subject and a verb.

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Definition of “as”

The word “as” can mean “because,” or it can mean “while” or “at the same time.” “As” can also be used to communicate similarities between two things. When communicating similarities, “as” functions as a conjunction and must be followed by a subject and a verb, or a prepositional phrase. “As” can also be used in expressions of comparison like “as much as.” Here are a few examples of using “as” to express similarity or comparison:

• She likes the rain, as do I.
• The student is not as tall as the teacher.
• My house is as big as your house.

Examples of when to use “like” instead of “as”

In general, “like” is used to compare two different things. Looking at examples can help illustrate when “like” should be used instead of “as”:

Incorrect: She looks as her mother.
Correct: She looks like her mother.

Incorrect: The fish, as the dolphin, loves to swim.
Correct: The fish, like the dolphin, loves to swim.

Incorrect: He’s as a brother to me.
Correct: He’s like a brother to me.

Incorrect: We should do something fun tonight, as going to a concert or a party.
Correct: We should do something fun tonight, like going to a concert or a party.

Incorrect: She speaks Spanish as a native speaker.
Correct: She speaks Spanish like a native speaker.

Examples of when to use “as” instead of “like”

A simple way to identify when “as” should be used instead of “like” is by noting whether it can be replaced by the phrase “the way.” If using “the way” makes sense, you should be using “as.” But “as” can also be used to communicate comparisons. Looking at examples can help illustrate when “as” should be used instead of “like”:

Incorrect: The old dog can’t run like he used to.
Correct: The old dog can’t walk as he used to.

Incorrect: He makes tomato sauce like his grandmother did.
Correct: He makes tomato sauce as his grandmother did.

Incorrect: I worked like a barista for 10 years.
Correct: I worked as a barista for 10 years.

Incorrect: Lucy went to bed early like she didn’t feel well.
Correct: Lucy went to bed early as she didn’t feel well.

Incorrect: The cake is sweet, like it should be.
Correct: The cake is sweet, as it should be.

What are the main differences between “like” versus “as?”

Still stumped? The main differences to keep in mind when choosing whether to use “like” or “as” in a sentence are as follows:

• “Like” can be used as a noun, adjective, adverb, preposition, or conjunction, whereas “as” can only be used as an adverb, preposition, or conjunction.
• “Like” is used to convey similarity, whereas “as” communicates a comparison or that something is being done in the same manner as something else.
• When used to make comparisons, “like” must be followed by a noun phrase. When “as” is used to make comparisons, it must precede the clause.

Learning how to properly use “like” and “as” when you’re writing may seem tricky, but after some practice it will feel like (not as) second nature.