The words as and like are often confused. As is a conjunction whereas like is a preposition. Can you use them correctly? Test your knowledge with this grammar exercise.
1She looks ............... her sister.
Wrong!
Use "like" before a noun when we mean similar to someone or something.
2He fought ............... a lion.
Wrong!
Use "like" before a noun phrase such as "a lion" in this comparison.
3She looks a bit ............... Princess Diana.
Wrong!
Use "like" before the noun phrase "Princess Diana" to show similarity.
4You look exactly ............... your mother did when she was younger.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "as" and "like" are possible here, but "as" is more formal before a clause.
5On Tuesday, ............... on Friday, the meeting will start at 9:30.
Wrong!
Use "as" before a prepositional phrase when it means in the same way.
6I am sending you the bill, ............... we agreed.
Wrong!
Use "as" before a clause such as "we agreed".
7She is good at scientific subjects ............... mathematics.
Wrong!
Use "like" to give an example such as "mathematics".
8He was an atheist, ............... were most of his friends.
Wrong!
Use "as" in the formal pattern "as were most of his friends".
9She works ............... a nurse in a busy hospital.
Wrong!
Use "as" to describe someone's job or role.
10A butterfly starts life ............... a caterpillar.
Wrong!
Use "as" to describe the stage or category something belongs to.
11In 1939, ............... in 1914, many people feared a long war.
Wrong!
Use "as" before a prepositional phrase when comparing two similar situations.
12............... you know, next Monday's meeting has been cancelled.
Wrong!
Use "As" in the fixed expression "As you know".
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- She looks like her sister.
- He fought like a lion.
- She looks a bit like Princess Diana.
- You look exactly as / like your mother did when she was younger.
- On Tuesday, as on Friday, the meeting will start at 9:30.
- I am sending you the bill, as we agreed.
- She is good at scientific subjects like mathematics.
- He was an atheist, as were most of his friends.
- She works as a nurse in a busy hospital.
- A butterfly starts life as a caterpillar.
- In 1939, as in 1914, many people feared a long war.
- As you know, next Monday’s meeting has been cancelled.
