LIKE vs AS

[Mandy]

Hello,

I am a little perplexed over the use of LIKE vs AS. When is it appropriate to use LIKE and when is it appropriate to use AS?

Thanks,
Mandy

[StaceyKoprince]

You didn't mention whether you have seen the explanation in our SC strategy guide, so I don't know if you're struggling with our explanation of it. Let me know if that is the case.

Like is used when you are talking about nouns only, such as "Jenny, like Amy, has brown hair." We're only comparing Jenny and Amy here (both nouns) and the rest of the sentence (has brown hair) applies to both of them.

As is used when you are comparing clauses (a clause is a phrase that includes a verb), such as "Jenny has good grades, as does Amy." Here, we're comparing entire clauses - first "Jenny has good grades" and then "as does Amy." What are we comparing? the fact that they both have (verb) good grades.

Notice that, in the second case, we have two verbs in the sentence, where in the "like" example we had only the one verb. This can be a good indication if you're having trouble deciding whether to use like or as. To use "as" you do need to have at least two verbs. (Though, FYI, you might have more than one verb in a "like" sentence - it's not an absolute that a like sentence will have only one verb.)

[Mandy]

Thanks much for the explanation Stacey!

I did read the MGMAT SC Guide (excellent guide if I may add). Just wondering which answer choice is preferred on the GMAT if one had to say choose between the following -

A) Domestic cars can accelerate like foreign cars.
B) Domestic cars can accelerate as foreign cars do.

Thanks again!

-Mandy

[StaceyKoprince]

You can write some sentences both ways:

Domestic cars, like foreign cars, accelerate rapidly.

Domestic cars accelerate rapidly, as do foreign cars.

Either one is fine, so they wouldn't make you choose between the two.

[Mandy]

Thanks much for all your help Stacey!

[dbernst]

Stacey = Smart!!!

[d_taneja]

Rather we have to find that what author wants to say in sentence

In Below example i'll choose "Domestic cars accelerate rapidly, as do foreign cars." because here concentration is on cars capability of "accelerate"


A) Domestic cars can accelerate like foreign cars.
B) Domestic cars can accelerate as foreign cars do.

As you changes the first option to

Domestic cars, like foreign cars, accelerate rapidly.

thats why it is correct but option
A) Domestic cars can accelerate like foreign cars.
is incorrect because it doesn't says "Domestic cars, like foreign cars ...."

So i would say 2nd option is better and correct and 1st is wrong

You can write some sentences both ways:

Domestic cars, like foreign cars, accelerate rapidly.

Domestic cars accelerate rapidly, as do foreign cars.

Either one is fine, so they wouldn't make you choose between the two.