Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 117 · B1

like and as

Like means similar to and takes a noun, pronoun or -ing; as takes a subject and verb, appears in as usual, as you know and do as you like, and as + noun means in the role of, which is not the same as like + noun.

Start the lesson

18Steps · about 35 minutes

In this lesson

like = similar toA1 screen of questions
as + subject + verbB1 screen of questions
do as you like; as you knowC2 screens of questions
as + noun and like + nounD2 screens of questions
Put it together+6 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

like = similar to

Like means similar to, the same as. Being a preposition, it takes a noun, a pronoun or an -ing form after it.

Sometimes like means for example; such as works too.

  • What a gorgeous house! It's like a castle. (not as a castle)
  • Careful, the floor's just been mopped. It's like walking on ice.
  • Ugh, another grey day. I can't stand weather like this. (not as this)
  • "What's that noise?" "It sounds like a cat stuck up a tree."
  • I love water sports, like kayaking, surfing and paddleboarding.
  • I love water sports, such as kayaking and surfing.

Point A · Extra practice

Put in like.

  1. What a big house! It's a castle.

  2. The floor's wet. It's walking on ice.

  3. I can't stand weather this.

Point B of 4

as + subject + verb

As means in the same manner as, or in the same state as. It is used with subject + verb. Like is also used this way in everyday speech.

But before a noun or pronoun, only like: like this, never as this.

We say as usual, as always, and the same as.

  • I didn't touch anything. I left everything as it was.
  • I left everything like it was.
  • You should have folded it as I showed you.
  • You should have folded it like this. (not as this)
  • You're late, as usual.
  • As always, Nick was the last to arrive.
  • Your trainers are the same as mine. (not the same like)

Point B · Extra practice

Put in as. Sometimes like is also right.

  1. I left everything it was.

  2. Fold it I showed you.

  3. Do you're told!

Point C of 4

do as you like; as you know

After do, as means what: do as you like. Fixed phrases include as you know, as I said, as I thought, as she predicted. Like is unusual here, except in like I said.

  • You can do as you like.
  • They did as they promised.
  • As you know, it's Mum's birthday next week.
  • Andy didn't get the job, as he'd predicted.
  • As I mentioned on Monday, I'm sure we can find a solution.
  • Like I mentioned on Monday, I'm sure we can find a solution.

Point C · Exercise 117.2 · part 1 of 2

Match each sentence with the one that follows it.

Use these

  1. It was heaving, as I'd guessed.
  2. As I keep saying, I'm bored stiff.
  3. As you know, I'm on holiday then.
  4. Do as you think best.
  5. Let's do as she says.
  6. You'll get a ticket, as I keep warning you.

  1. Example

    I can't make your birthday meal.

    c

    AnswerI can't make your birthday meal. As you know, I'm on holiday then.

  2. Mia's plan sounds sensible.

  3. I really need a new job.

  4. You park on double yellow lines all the time.

  5. It's your decision, not mine.

Point C · Exercise 117.2 · part 2 of 2

Match each sentence with the one that follows it.

Use these

  1. It was heaving, as I'd guessed.
  2. As I keep saying, I'm bored stiff.
  3. As you know, I'm on holiday then.
  4. Do as you think best.
  5. Let's do as she says.
  6. You'll get a ticket, as I keep warning you.

  1. The café was full when we got there.

Point D of 4

as + noun and like + noun

As + noun means in the position of, in the form of: it is what you are. Like + noun means similar to it: you are not one.

As a taxi driver, I spend my working life in a car. (It's my job.)

Everyone in the family wants a lift. I'm like a taxi driver. (I'm not one, but I might as well be.)

  • As a taxi driver, I spend my working life in a car.
  • Everyone wants a lift. I'm like a taxi driver.
  • Years ago I worked as a postman.
  • Words like cook and dance work as both verbs and nouns.
  • Paris is great as a weekend break, but I couldn't live there.
  • The news came as a terrible shock.

Point D · Exercise 117.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with like or as and one of these: a castle, an oven, an amateur, a lifeguard, a church, a leaving present, spring, a teenager.

Use these

a castlean ovenan amateura lifeguarda churcha leaving presentspringa teenager

  1. Example

    Their new house is enormous. It's like a castle.

    AnswerTheir new house is enormous. It's like a castle.

  2. Open a window. This office is .

  3. I've been painting for years, but I still paint .

  4. Marion spent one summer working at the lido.

  5. What's that tall building with the spire? It looks .

Point D · Exercise 117.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with like or as and one of these: a castle, an oven, an amateur, a lifeguard, a church, a leaving present, spring, a teenager.

Use these

a castlean ovenan amateura lifeguarda churcha leaving presentspringa teenager

  1. My colleagues gave me this pen when I retired.

  2. It's so mild for January. It feels .

  3. He's forty-five, but he dresses .

Put it together · Exercise 117.1 · part 1 of 2

Some of these sentences need like, not as. Write OK, or write the correct sentence.

  1. Example

    Ugh, another grey day. I can't stand weather as this.

    Ugh, another grey day. I can't stand weather like this.

    AnswerUgh, another grey day. I can't stand weather like this.

  2. Example

    You should have folded it as I showed you.

    OK

    AnswerYou should have folded it as I showed you.

  3. Do you think Callum looks as his dad?

  4. He drives me mad. I can't stand people as him.

  5. Why didn't you set it up as the manual says?

  6. As her mother, Katie has a lovely singing voice.

Put it together · Exercise 117.1 · part 2 of 2

Some of these sentences need like, not as. Write OK, or write the correct sentence.

  1. He never stops talking. Sitting next to him is as being stuck next to a radio.

  2. I preferred the kitchen as it was, before we redid it.

  3. I'll ring you tomorrow as usual, all right?

  4. She's a brilliant swimmer. She swims as a fish.

Put it together · Exercise 117.4 · part 1 of 4

Put in like or as. Sometimes either is possible.

  1. Example

    We heard a sound like a cat howling.

    AnswerWe heard a sound like a cat howling.

  2. I wish I had a bike yours.

  3. Nadia has been working a receptionist since March.

  4. I bumped into Kevin on Saturday. He was full of jokes, always.

  5. You spend hours on things scrolling through your phone.

Put it together · Exercise 117.4 · part 2 of 4

Put in like or as. Sometimes either is possible.

  1. you can imagine, we were shattered after such a long journey.

  2. Gran showed us photos of the street it looked in the 1960s.

  3. My neighbour's house is crammed with curiosities. It's a museum.

  4. In some countries, Japan, India and Australia, traffic drives on the left.

Put it together · Exercise 117.4 · part 3 of 4

Put in like or as. Sometimes either is possible.

  1. The menu hasn't changed at all. It's the same last year.

  2. Nobody else I know thinks the way you do. There's nobody quite you.

  3. The news that they're getting married came a complete surprise to me.

  4. This tea is awful. It tastes dishwater.

Put it together · Exercise 117.4 · part 4 of 4

Put in like or as. Sometimes either is possible.

  1. Suddenly there was a terrific bang. It was a bomb going off.

  2. At the moment I'm stacking shelves. It's not exciting, but it's fine a stopgap.

  3. Brian is a student, most of his friends.

Lesson 117 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: like as ifBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. like = similar to–Not checkedB. as + subject + verb–Not checkedC. do as you like; as you know–Not checkedD. as + noun and like + noun–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked