like a mother does to a child
I squeezed it lightly against his nostrils, then pulled it off, like a mother does to a child in a car seat.

I always feel that a 'what" /"the way" is missed after the word 'like'.

I squeezed it lightly against his nostrils, then pulled it off, like what/ the way a mother does to a child in a car seat.

Which version is more common in your writing or speaking?

Question

like a mother does to a child
I squeezed it lightly against his nostrils, then pulled it off, like a mother does to a child in a car seat.

I always feel that a 'what" /"the way"  is missed after the word 'like'.

I squeezed it lightly against his nostrils, then pulled it off, like what/ the way a mother does to a child in a car seat.

Which version is more common in your writing or speaking?

Answer

Both versions are probably equally common. If you feel like something is missing than it's ok to add "what" or "the way", but sometimes you may want to make the sentence flow along more rapidly. In that case you can leave those extra words out.

"He jumped in the air like a rabbit seeing a wolf." <--nice sentence that flows along rapidly to describe a scene which also flows along rapidly.

"He jumped in the air like the way a rabbit would when it sees a wolf."

Answer

Thanks for your kind reminder, Ellen.

Answer

Hi XiaDeng. I would stick with the example in the first sentence. Your two options might be used and quite commonly in different areas of the US, at least. Keep in mind, however, that English is dynamic and the current trend is definitely word reduction. Think of the text messages, tweets, and even emails that we write with as few words as possible. Additionally, there seems to be more and more emphasis on technical writing as well that encourages a more succinct writing style. But as the speaker or writer, ultimately, you make the choice. :) Hope this helps, e.