[Beatrix]

Hello,
me again with a new English question.
I know that both "as" and "like" can be used for comparisons, that they are sometimes completely interchangeable (I think so. am I right?) and sometimes not, but I can't figure out the exact rule.

This is an example which gives me a headache:

For example, there are two computer models: M75 an C68.

Should I say that M75 has some parts/characteristics/whatever AS or LIKE model C68?
or is the only possible way of saying it: M75 has the same parts as C68?

Can you understand what I'm confused with?
Thanks in advance.

[susan53]

Hi Beatrix,
M75 has some parts LIKE model C68

Your final question gives it away. as is used to indicate that two things are equivalent, while like shows that they´re similar. Neatly summed up in the two sentences :
a) I work as a teacher
b) I work like a slave
In (a) I´m saying that I am a teacher - there´s no distinction between the words I and teacher whereas in (b) I´m simply comparing myself to a slave.

In your example, they aren´t the same parts, just the same type of parts - so it´s seen by the language as similarity rather than equivalence.


So as is often used together with the same - Her hair is the same colour as her mothers and in as..as.. constructions expressing equivalence or lack of it : He´s just as idiotic as always.

as can of course also be combined with such with the meaning "of a type" which makes it equivalent to likein its meaning of for example : I enjoy talking about certain aspects of grammar, like/such as the verb system and it´s probably this which causes the most confusion for students.

Hope that helps, and have a very happy Christmas.

[Beatrix]

Hi susan
I think I figured out the answer while I was writing the question but just wanted to check it with you. Thanks

We celebrate Christmas on January 7th (orthodox Christmas)

Merry Christmas to you and to all who celebrate it on December 25th and thanks again