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Cristina
as and like
Hello, I am studying the differences between 'as' and 'like'. But it seems to me a little complicated. My book says this:
- We use like, not as, before a noun or pronoun to talk about similarity.
But I have found this sentence in another book:
- How embarrassing! Donna came to the party wearing exactly the same clothes as me!
Is this a mistake? I would say: Donna came to the party wearing exactly the same clothes like me!
What sentence is correct? Could you help me?
Thank you!
Jan 7, 2018 1:30 PM
Answers · 6
3
Tough one.
You use LIKE as a preposition so it is not usually followed by a verb.
You use AS as a conjunction so it is usually followed by a verb.
Your example is correct even though there is no verb. I believe because the verb is implied. The example could be:
Donna came to the party wearing exactly the same clothes as I wore!
The rule is broken a lot by native speakers. Here is a good link:
http://www.grammar.cl/Notes/Like_vs_As.htm
January 7, 2018
1
How embarrassing! Donna came to the party wearing exactly the same clothes as me! - correct
Donna came to the party wearing exactly the same clothes like me! - incorrect
Just a language rule, I can't really explain why but although "as" and "like" may mean the same as a word to suggest similarity, it is just used differently in different sentence structures.
This explains why it is wrong to say:
"He looks as my Dad".
Rather, we say "He looks like my Dad".
January 7, 2018
1
Technically, the correct grammar is "she was wearing the same dress as I", because the verb [was wearing] is implied. The English grammar is the same as in Spanish (como yo), but as Christopher says, this rule is almost never followed.
January 7, 2018
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Cristina
Language Skills
Catalan, English, Spanish
Learning Language
Catalan, English
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