Like and As
Similarity · Comparisons · Role — Complete Guide
Like et As
Similarité · Comparaisons · Rôle — Guide Complet
Master when to use like (similar to) and as (in the same way as / in the role of) — two of the most commonly confused words in English.
Maîtrisez quand utiliser like (similaire à) et as (de la même façon que / dans le rôle de) — deux des mots les plus souvent confondus en anglais.
Like and as are often confused. Like is a preposition meaning “similar to” — it is followed by a noun, pronoun, or -ing form. As can be a conjunction (followed by subject + verb) meaning “in the same way” or can be a preposition meaning “in the role/capacity of”. Choosing correctly makes a big difference to meaning.
Like et as sont souvent confondus. Like est une préposition qui signifie « similaire à » — elle est suivie d’un nom, pronom ou forme en -ing. As peut être une conjonction (suivie d’un sujet + verbe) signifiant « de la même façon » ou une préposition signifiant « dans le rôle de ». Bien choisir fait une grande différence de sens.
like — Similar to, the Same as (Preposition)
like — Similaire à, pareil à (Préposition)
Like = similar to, the same as. It is a preposition, so it is followed by a noun, a pronoun, or an -ing form. It is not followed by a subject + verb.
Like = similaire à, pareil à. C’est une préposition, donc elle est suivie d’un nom, d’un pronom ou d’une forme en -ing. Elle n’est pas suivie d’un sujet + verbe.
Be careful! The floor has been polished. It’s like walking on ice. (not: as walking)
It’s raining again. I hate weather like this. (not: as this)
‘What’s that noise?’ ‘It sounds like a baby crying.’ (not: as a baby crying) What a beautiful house! It’s like a palace. (pas : as a palace)
Be careful! The floor has been polished. It’s like walking on ice. (pas : as walking)
It’s raining again. I hate weather like this. (pas : as this)
‘What’s that noise?’ ‘It sounds like a baby crying.’ (pas : as a baby crying)
I enjoy water sports, like surfing, scuba diving and water-skiing. or
I enjoy water sports, such as surfing, scuba diving and water-skiing. Parfois like signifie « par exemple ». On peut aussi utiliser such as :
I enjoy water sports, like surfing, scuba diving and water-skiing. ou
I enjoy water sports, such as surfing, scuba diving and water-skiing.
as — In the Same Way as (Conjunction + Subject + Verb)
as — De la même façon que (Conjonction + Sujet + Verbe)
As = in the same way as, in the same condition as. We use as with subject + verb.
As = de la même façon que, dans le même état que. On utilise as avec sujet + verbe.
You should have done it as I showed you.
We also use like in this way (+ subject + verb):
I left everything like it was. (informal, also possible)
You should have done it like I showed you. (informal)
BUT: You should have done it like this. (NOT: as this — no verb) I didn’t move anything. I left everything as it was.
You should have done it as I showed you.
On utilise aussi like ainsi (+ sujet + verbe) :
I left everything like it was. (informel, aussi possible)
BUT: You should have done it like this. (PAS : as this — pas de verbe)
as usual / as always
as usual / as always
the same as …
the same as …
as you know · as I said · do as you like …
as you know · as I said · do as you like …
Sometimes as (+ subject + verb) has other meanings. After do:
Parfois as (+ sujet + verbe) a d’autres sens. Après do :
They did as they promised. (= They did what they promised.) You can do as you like. (= fais ce que tu veux)
They did as they promised. (= ils ont fait ce qu’ils avaient promis)
We also say as you know / as I said / as she expected / as I thought etc. (= shared, known information):
On dit aussi as you know / as I said / as she expected / as I thought etc. (= information déjà connue, partagée) :
Andy failed his driving test, as he expected. (he expected this)
As I said yesterday, I’m sure we can solve the problem.
⚠ Like is not usual in these expressions, EXCEPT with ‘say’: Like I said … (informal) As you know, it’s Emma’s birthday next week. (vous le savez déjà)
Andy failed his driving test, as he expected. (il s’y attendait)
As I said yesterday, I’m sure we can solve the problem.
⚠ Like n’est pas habituel dans ces expressions, SAUF avec ‘say’ : Like I said … (informel)
as (Preposition) = in the Role/Capacity of
as (Préposition) = dans le rôle de / en tant que
As can also be a preposition (as + noun), but the meaning is different from like. As = in the position of, in the form of (it IS the thing). Like = similar to (it RESEMBLES the thing but is not it).
As peut aussi être une préposition (as + nom), mais le sens est différent de like. As = dans la position de, en tant que (c’EST la chose). Like = similaire à (ça lui ressemble mais ce n’est pas la chose).
as = actual role / identity
as = rôle réel / identité
like = resemblance / comparison
like = ressemblance / comparaison
| as (= real role) | like (= comparison) |
|---|---|
| as (= rôle réel) | like (= comparaison) |
| Many words can be used as verbs or nouns. | My neighbour’s house is full of things. It’s like a museum. |
| She works as a nurse at the local hospital. | She works so hard. She works like a machine. |
| He used the bottle as a weapon. | He came in like a tornado. |
Some sentences need like instead of as. Write the correct word or “OK” if correct.
Certaines phrases nécessitent like au lieu de as. Écrivez le mot correct ou « OK » si correct.
Complete with like or as + the phrase given.
Complétez avec like ou as + l’expression donnée.
Choices: a beginner · blocks of ice · a palace · a birthday present · a child · a theatre · winter · a tour guide
Choix : a beginner · blocks of ice · a palace · a birthday present · a child · a theatre · winter · a tour guide
Put in like or as. Sometimes either word is possible.
Mettez like ou as. Parfois les deux sont possibles.
Complete each sentence with like or as (one word only).
Complétez chaque phrase avec like ou as (un seul mot).
Frequently Asked Questions — Like and As
Questions fréquentes — Like et As
Check what follows: if you have a noun or pronoun only (no verb), use like: “It looks like a palace.” If you have a subject + verb, use as (or sometimes like informally): “Do it as I showed you.” If you mean someone’s actual job or role, use as: “She works as a teacher.”
Regardez ce qui suit : si vous avez un nom ou pronom seul (sans verbe), utilisez like : « It looks like a palace. » Si vous avez un sujet + verbe, utilisez as (ou parfois like à l’informel). Si vous parlez du vrai métier ou rôle de quelqu’un, utilisez as.
Yes, in informal/spoken English, like is increasingly used where as is traditionally required: “Do it like I showed you.” “I left everything like it was.” This is common in conversation but not preferred in formal writing. Note: you cannot say “the same like” — always “the same as”.
Oui, à l’informel/à l’oral, like est de plus en plus utilisé là où as était traditionnel. Attention : on ne dit jamais “the same like” — toujours “the same as”.
“She works as a teacher” = teaching is her actual job. “She works like a teacher” = she is not a teacher, but her way of working resembles a teacher’s style. As = real identity/role; like = comparison/resemblance.
« She works as a teacher » = l’enseignement est son vrai métier. « She works like a teacher » = elle n’est pas professeure, mais sa façon de travailler ressemble à celle d’un professeur.
“The same like” is simply not correct in English. The fixed expression is always “the same as”: ✓ “Your phone is the same as mine.” ✗ “Your phone is the same like mine.”
« The same like » n’est tout simplement pas correct en anglais. L’expression fixe est toujours « the same as » : ✓ « Your phone is the same as mine. »
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