As vs Like
Use 'as' when someone or something genuinely fills a role or function. Use 'like' for comparison, resemblance, and giving examples.
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She works ___ a nurse in the city hospital.
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as
Use 'as' for a real role or job — she really is a nurse.
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He isn't a professional, but he sings ___ a real star.
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like
Use 'like' for resemblance — he is not a star, he only sounds similar.
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There were no chairs, so he used an old box ___ a table.
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as
Use 'as' for the function something performs — the box did the job of a table.
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I enjoy team sports ___ football and basketball.
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like
Use 'like' to give examples — sports such as football and basketball.
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After university, she got a job ___ a translator.
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as
Use 'as' for a real role or job — she really works as a translator.
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My little brother sometimes behaves ___ a grown-up.
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like
Use 'like' for resemblance — he is not a grown-up, he only acts similar to one.
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It was dark, so I used my phone ___ a torch.
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as
Use 'as' for the function performed — the phone did the job of a torch.
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Try this soup — it tastes a bit ___ chicken.
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like
Use 'like' for resemblance — the soup is not chicken, the taste is similar.
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___ a doctor, I strongly recommend that you rest more.
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As
Use 'as' for the real role someone speaks from — the speaker really is a doctor.
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Everyone says she looks exactly ___ her mother.
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like
'Look like' is a fixed phrase for resemblance — only 'like' is possible here.
As vs Like: Role, Resemblance, and Examples
The as/like contrast is one of the most persistently confused pairs in English, because both words can appear in structurally similar positions before a noun. 'As' signals that the subject genuinely occupies a role or performs a function — the phrase that follows is literally true of the subject. 'Like' signals resemblance — the subject is similar to what follows but is not identical to it — or introduces examples of a wider category. The test is simple: try substituting 'in the role of' for 'as'; if the sentence still makes sense, 'as' is correct. Try substituting 'similar to' or 'such as' for 'like'; if either works, 'like' is correct. Getting this wrong changes the literal meaning of a sentence, not just its style: 'she works like a nurse' implies she is not actually a nurse.
As — A Real Role or Function
There were no chairs, so he used an old box as a table. (the box performed that function)
It was dark, so I used my phone as a torch. (the phone performed that function)
As a doctor, I strongly recommend that you rest more. (the speaker really is a doctor)
Like — Resemblance and Comparison
My little brother sometimes behaves like a grown-up. (he is not one, only acts similar)
Try this soup — it tastes a bit like chicken. (similar taste, not actually chicken)
Everyone says she looks like her mother. (fixed phrase — only 'like' is possible)
Like — Introducing Examples
'Like' also introduces specific examples of a broader category. In this use it can usually be replaced with 'such as'.
Common Mistakes
✗ There were no chairs, so he used an old box like a table. → ✓ ...he used an old box as a table.
✗ My little brother sometimes behaves as a grown-up. → ✓ My little brother sometimes behaves like a grown-up.
✗ Everyone says she looks exactly as her mother. → ✓ Everyone says she looks exactly like her mother.
Last updated: · Satori Editorial