Difference between like/as

Question

I understand the difference between them but in any cases I don't:

• I work as a teacher (is a function)
• She's like her mother ( a comparison)

But why you say?: As I said, As I know and not, like I know

And if I want to say: "ella viste como su madre" "él es como un gato"

My try: "She dresses like her mother", " he is like a cat"

I'm in a mess

Answer 1

Cuando significan "como" para indicar que algo es parecido o idéntico a otra cosa, tienes que usar "like": it is like a nightmare.

Cuando significa "como" para indicar la manera, "as" es más común.

Thanks again :) - NeNuN, Aug 26, 2010

Answer 2

And if I want to say: "ella viste como su madre" "él es como un gato" My try: "She dresses like her mother", " he is like a cat"

These are comparisons aswell, they follow the same rule as "she's like her mother".

As far as the difference between "as" and "like" goes, this useful article will explain it a lot better than I ever could .

Hope this helps.

Saludos, Chica

Very trank you for the information :) - NeNuN, Aug 26, 2010

You're welcome! - chicasabrosa, Aug 26, 2010

Answer 3

For the most part you just have to learn the individual uses as you go along I'm afraid.

Here are some websites that explain it:

http://www.english-at-home.com/grammar/like-and-as/

http://www.getitwriteonline.com/archive/012201LikeAs.htm

**

Like is a preposition (don't panic), which means that it can come before a noun but it should not come before a whole clause containing a verb. As is a conjunction, and can be used before a clause containing a verb.

** - http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/exercises/grammar/grammar_tutorial/page_19.htm

(one more thing! "Any" is only used in a question or in a negative statement. "Are there any? There aren't any". Everywhere else say "some")

oh thakns rabbitwho, yes I'm a little bit confused with some and any too - NeNuN, Aug 26, 2010

Answer 4

These are correct.

if I want to say: "ella viste como su madre" "él es como un gato"

My try: "She dresses like her mother", " he is like a cat"

I will let someone with more grammar knowledge explain the fine points of using "as" and "like."

ok thanks Marianne. I know the grammar more less but in practice it's when I'm confused - NeNuN, Aug 26, 2010

Grammar is where the answer to "why" comes from - nizhoni1, Aug 26, 2010

Answer 5

It's even worse than you might think:

like is a verb (transitive or intransitive), noun, prepositon, adjective, adverb, and conjunction

as is a conjunction, adverb, preposition, and pronoun

Some people object to the use of like as a conjunction, but it has been being used that way in speech and literature for hundreds of years.

thank you too - NeNuN, Aug 26, 2010