English Grammar As & Like | 9 uses of As & Like

In this article, we’re going to explain how to use “Like” and “As.” While these are a little similar, there are some differences, so make sure to pay attention. Let’s start off with “like”.

YouTube Video

Title: English Grammar | How to use Like and As


Video Transcript

Hello everyone! My name is Lacey and I am your English Teacher for today. Welcome to the Eigo Love YouTube channel! Today we are going to learn “like” and “as”. While these are a little similar, there are some differences, so pay attention. Let’s start off with “like”.

Usege of Like #1: Give examples

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“Like” is used for “examples.”

Here are our examples:

Example #1
I like foods like sushi.

– I like foods like sushi.

Example #2
I like small animals, like hamsters.

– I like small animals, like hamsters.

Example #3
Furry animals, like cats and bunnies are cute.

– Furry animals, like cats and bunnies are cute.

So, this is the same thing as just saying:

Example #4
I like foods “including” or “such as” or “for example” sushi.

Example #5
I like small animals, for example, hamsters.

So, it has the same kind of meaning.

Alright, moving on.

Usege of Like #2: Similar to

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“Like” can also be used to make a comparison. Or to compare two things. It shows that the two things are similar.

Here are a few examples:

Example #6
Curry is like a soup.

– Curry is like a soup.

Example #7
Don’t act like a baby.

– Don’t act like a baby.

Example #8
My sister looks like me.

– My sister looks like me.

Example #9
It tastes like honey.

– It tastes like honey.

Notice in two of the examples, I used the words “looks” and “tastes”. These words along with “smell”, “feel”, etc are often used with this grammar.

Usege of As #1: Role of

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OK. Now, let’s move on to “as”. We can use “as” when we talk about our job.

For example:

Example #10
I work as an English teacher.

– I work as an English teacher.

Or,

Example #11
She worked as a waitress.

– She worked as a waitress.

Good job!

Usege of As #2: Because

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“As” can also have the same meaning as “because.”

For example:

Example #12
As corona virus got worse, I can’t travel.

As corona virus got worse, I can’t travel.

Example #13
As I love cats, I often go to the pet store.

– As I love cats, I often go to the pet store.

Though, I almost never use this style. And, I don’t hear it much either, but it depends on the region that someone comes from. So, it’s not often used in Kentucky.

Usege of As #3: While

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“As” can mean “while”. It means doing something at the same time.

Example #14
I saw a cat as I was driving to work.

– I saw a cat as I was driving to work.

It means I saw a cat while I was driving to work.

Next example:

Example #15
As I was exercising, my dad called me.

– As I was exercising, my dad called me.

Or,

Example #15 -2
While I was exercising, my dad called me.

It has the same meaning.

OK.

Usege of As #4: As much as

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“As” can also be used to make comparisons. So, this is similar to “like.” There are two ways we can do this. The first way is to use “as much as.”

For example:

Example #16
My sister eats as much as I do.

– My sister eats as much as I do.

It means my sister eats the same amount of food.

So, for “like,” if it was “like,” “My sister eats like I do.” It’s similar, but maybe not the same. But, for “as much as,” it is the same.

OK, here’s our next example:

Example #17
He makes as much as Bill Gates does.

– He makes as much as Bill Gates does.

It means he makes as much money as Bill Gates does. We don’t have to directly say money, but we know that’s what the meaning is. So, it means he makes the same amount.

But, if it was “like”, we can’t necessarily use it. We can’t say, ”He makes money like Bill Gates”. It’s kind of strange and very unclear.

OK.

Usege of As #5: As + adjective + as

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The other usage for comparison is “as + adjective + as.”

Here are some examples:

Example #18
My sister is as smart as me.

– My sister is as smart as me.

It means my sister is the same amount of smartness as me.

And,

Example #19
Your phone is as big as my face.

– Your phone is as big as my face.

So, maybe it’s this big.

Usege of As #6: Same as

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You could also use “same as.”

Example #20
Your shirt is the same as mine.

– Your shirt is the same as mine.

Good job!

Usege of As #7: Such as (give examples)

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“As” can also be used to give examples. Like “like.” However, you must say “such as” not just “as.”

So, here’s our example:

Example #21
I like desserts, such as cakes, cookies, and ice cream.

– I like desserts, such as cakes, cookies, and ice cream.

We finished! Great job!

Conclusion

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At first it might be a bit confusing and that’s OK! Don’t give up! Keep trying, listening to, and reading the examples! You will start to get it!

That’s it for today’s video. Thank you so much for watching. If you liked it, please give it a thumbs up! And, subscribe for more English videos down below. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comments box! And until then, see you next time.