Let's look at the use of two words that, in principle, have the same meaning, and are translated almost the same, but still there are certain nuances of their use. " Like" and " as" in Russian sound like " similar, like, what, like ”, but in what situation should we use like, and when should we use as? What is their difference?

• First of all remember: LIKE not always means "love, like"! Today we are talking about its other meaning - "similar". So if you were asked What's the weather like today? in no case do not start telling what kind of weather you like, because you were asked - what is the weather like today, what does it look like! (And one of the lessons of our video course will help us answer this question ")

What is the difference between Like and As in English

Because like is a preposition, it can be combined with nouns (like a flower, like your mother), pronouns (like me, like this) or gerund (like swimming). We use like when comparing two different things.
She was like a ray of sunlight. - She was like a ray of sunlight (here they compare absolutely different words- she and a ray of light)
He was like Hercules in his dreams - in his dreams he was like Hercules (but he was not)

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Unlike like, as is used when we are talking about the same person or the same subject in real time. This is most often professions or the use of one item as another.

Five years ago I worked as a children's doctor in the village . - Five years ago I worked as a pediatrician in the village. (I and the doctor are the same person)
There weren't enough chairs in the warehouse so we decided to use boxes as chairs. – there were not enough chairs in the warehouse, so we decided to use the boxes as chairs. (box and chair are the same item)

Here, in fact, is the main difference between the words like and as in English language.

• But there are also expressions in which these words participate, for example:

She looks like her mother - she looks like her mother
It's just like you - it's so like you
There's nothing like music for me - there is nothing better than music for me.

Constructions As…as and not as (so)….as

There are designs As…as and not as(so)….as , which are used to compare objects or persons, with the first indicating the equality of the compared objects or people, and the second, on the contrary, indicating the superiority of one object or person over another, for example:
She is as clever as her brother - she is as smart as her brother (both are equally smart)
This book is as interesting as that one - this book is as interesting as that one (both books are equally interesting)
This way is not as long as that way - this way is not as long as that one (one is longer than the other)
This problem is not as important as that one - this problem is not as important as that one (one is more important than the other)

• Design as soon as possible means " as soon as possible, as soon as possible»: I shall return as soon as possible - I will return as soon as I can.
• Design Such as… means " for example, such as»:
  She likes flowers such as roses, tulips - she loves flowers such as roses, tulips
  I like fruit such as grapes, oranges, apples - I like fruits, such as grapes, oranges, apples
• Fairly common design. as usual translates " as usual»:
  I'll be as usual at 9 o'clock - I will be, as usual, at 9
  We have dinner as usual, at 5 o'clock - we have dinner, as usual, at 5

In order to make it easier for a beginner learning English to navigate the times, time markers are used. These are words that in most cases are used exclusively in 1 tense. Consider such markers as the simple adverb soon and the compound adverb as soon as. What time to use after them, and how are such sentences translated? These are very interesting questions of English philology.

The use of as soon as in speech. Examples

The subordinating conjunction as soon as in English refers to conjunctions of time, and is translated as a Russian expression - "as soon as" or "no later than". This service phrase consists of 2 words. The adverb as means a description of the manner of action. The adverb "soon" means "soon".

In speech, sometimes we cannot do without such expressions if we ask someone to do an urgent matter, or when it comes to the actions of a third person.

As soon as he came home, he called her. He called her as soon as he got home.

Or in first person.

I will go for a walk as soon as I finish my work. I will go for a walk as soon as I finish work.

There is also such a turn of speech as as soon as possible - as quickly as possible. Such an alliance expresses an even more or more important task that must be done urgently.

Unions of time

There are sentences where the first part characterizes some condition in the present, and the second event - in the future. And how the union between them is if, when or as soon as. What time to use: present or future? In compound sentences, a rule always works, which we will talk about in more detail.

In such sentences, you can use one of if, as soon as, when. What is the difference between conjunctions that seem to perform the same function: indicate the time frame as a condition of the event? The difference is that they have different meanings. "If" gives you a choice when answering. The union "after" indicates the sequence of events, but not a specific date. But as soon as implies the immediate fulfillment of the condition.

As soon as we got out the car, it started raining. - As soon as we got into the car, it started to rain.

The context of the sentence gives a clear idea: it began to rain at the same minute that people hid in the car, but did not have time to get wet. It is in this context that the compound adverb is used.

Native speakers can easily handle and often omit the adverbs that define it. But language learners do not immediately understand all the temporary rules. For example, how to understand: after the words "as soon as" (as soon as) what time to use - past, present or future when translating a sentence? “I'll be ready as soon as I've dealt with that report from yesterday.

In compound sentences, where there is a time condition, we use the agreement rule. According to this grammatical rule, will is placed after the union, and then the whole sentence is built in the simple present tense.

As soon as we get off the train, I will see sister. - As soon as we get off the train, I will see my sister.

The main part is here - I will see, This phrase is in the future tense. And the subordinate part of the sentence is in the present.

There are times when the wording is used in the past tense. The actions of both the subordinate and the main clause happened in the past. But one of the events happened earlier and served as a condition for the fulfillment of the second. past simple used to indicate actions that have already necessarily completed up to the present moment of speech.

As soon as they reached the house Tom called the girl. As soon as they got home, Tom called the girl.

As soon as I came up, they got into a taxi and went away. - As soon as I approached, they got into a taxi and left.

Sometimes I wouldn’t see Dad until I got back from Kingdom Hall on Sundays, but as soon as I ran into the house he’d be telling me what he’d seen the night before. - At times I did not see my father until Sunday, until I returned from church, but as soon as I ran into the house, he began to tell me what he had seen the day before.

All of these examples use the Past simple tense.

Construction as soon as and perfect tense

But the perfect tense is used to express an action that has already happened up to a clearly specified time. This should be taken into account when there is doubt about how to translate into English sentence with as soon as? What time to use?

How is formed past perfect, indicated in the figure. It schematically depicts all perfect tenses.

Here is an example: As soon as she had got married, she became happier. - As soon as she got married, she immediately became happier.

The construction had got married indicates exactly the time Past Perfect (Past completed).

This time can be called past. The perfect tense emphasizes that the action in the subordinate clause took place before the action of the main part began.

adverb soon

Another important adverb (adverb) in speech is soon, which can be interpreted in a sentence in several ways, depending on the context. Russian dialects soon, early or with readiness- all are translated as soon. These pointer words are sometimes called time markers.

So, soon: an indicator of what time is this adverb? Soon refers to the adverbs of time, and usually indicates that the action will take place in the future. But at the same time, there is no specification of the date of the event.

The doctor will be here soon. - The doctor will be here soon.

However, the presence of this dialect does not always reflect the future. To use the correct tense, it is better to rely on the context, on the meaning of the expression.

How to create a question with this adverb of time? To construct an interrogative sentence, put how in front. Then - an adverb, after it all the other members of the sentence.

How soon can you finish the job? How quickly can you complete this work?

The adverb soon is a marker of what time?

As already mentioned, the adverb soon is used to denote various characteristics of the time of action. And it doesn't always represent the future. What other tenses can be used? Now let's figure it out.

Here is an example of several compound adverbs with the word soon. What time in English does the phrase as soon as not (so likely) express - is it the future or the present? The expression The sooner the better (The sooner the better); Or the phrase "shortly after"? All these nuances of speech must be memorized at first, since it is rather difficult to understand. See examples:

She found a job soon after graduation. She found a job after she graduated.

This tense is past, and the adverb in this sentence does not mean a possible future, but a short period followed by a certain event. In this case, soon here is translated as right after.

How to consolidate knowledge?

Doing some daily simple exercises on the chosen topic, it is easy to learn any complex rule. Let's imagine several sentences where it is necessary to use the marker soon or as soon as. What time to use when translating? Think.

• As soon as it gets dark, the street will be empty. - As soon as it becomes dark, the street will be empty.
• Call me as soon as you get home. - Call me as soon as you will arrive home.
• - I will arrive as soon as there is free time.
• Immediately after reading the letter, she tore it up. - After she had read the letter, she tore it into pieces.

However, first you need to deal with Russian grammar. Then it will be easier to perceive theoretical information concerning the agreement of tenses in English. For example, how is a compound sentence constructed? What is the subject and predicate in a sentence?

At the same time, while studying grammar and practicing, translating sentences, conquer English speech realistically in a short time.

Let's look at the use of two words that, in principle, have the same meaning, and are translated almost the same, but still there are certain nuances of their use. " Like" and " as" in Russian sound like " similar, like, what, like ”, but in what situation should we use like, and when should we use as? What is their difference?

First of all remember: LIKE not always means "love, like"! Today we are talking about its other meaning - "similar". So if you were asked What's the weather like today? in no case do not start telling what kind of weather you like, because you were asked - what is the weather like today, what does it look like!

What is the difference between Like and As in English

Because like is a preposition, it can be combined with nouns (like a flower, like your mother), pronouns (like me, like this) or gerund (like swimming). We use like when comparing two different things.
. She was like a ray of sunlight. - She looked like a ray of sunlight (completely different words are compared here - she and a ray of light)
. He was like Hercules in his dreams - in his dreams he was like Hercules (but he was not)

Unlike like, as is used when talking about the same person or the same subject in real time. This is most often professions or the use of one item as another.

Five years ago I worked as a children's doctor in the village . - Five years ago I worked as a children's doctor in the village. (I and the doctor are the same person)
. There weren't enough chairs in the warehouse so we decided to use boxes as chairs. - there weren't enough chairs in the warehouse, so we decided to use the crates as chairs. (box and chair are the same item)

That, in fact, is the main difference between the words like and as in English.

• But there are also expressions in which these words participate, for example:

She looks like her mother - she looks like her mother
. It's just like you - it's so like you
. There's nothing like music for me - there is nothing better than music for me.

Constructions As…as and not as (so)….as

There are designs As…as and not as(so)….as , which are used to compare objects or persons, with the first indicating the equality of the compared objects or people, and the second, on the contrary, indicating the superiority of one object or person over another, for example:
. She is as clever as her brother - she is as smart as her brother (both are equally smart)
. This book is as interesting as that one - this book is as interesting as that one (both books are equally interesting)
. This way is not as long as that way - this way is not as long as that one (one is longer than the other)
. This problem is not as important as that one - this problem is not as important as that one (one is more important than the other)

• Design as soon as possible means " as soon as possible, as soon as possible»: I shall return as soon as possible - I will return as soon as I can.
• Design Such as… means " for example, such as»:
  . She likes flowers such as roses, tulips - she loves flowers such as roses, tulips
  . I like fruit such as grapes, oranges, apples - I like fruits, for example, grapes, oranges, apples

Fairly common design. as usual translates " as usual»:
. I'll be as usual at 9 o'clock - I will be, as usual, at 9
. We have dinner as usual, at 5 o'clock - we have dinner, as usual, at 5

Though " like"A fairly common word in colloquial speech, however, it often causes confusion for many, and all because it is very versatile. It can be a preposition, and an adjective, and a verb, and a noun, and an adverb, and a union, and we are going to consider it from absolutely all sides, and we will start with like - a noun.

Like - noun

In this case, like is used in the meaning of " something similar or similar »:

• She said that she had never seen the like - she said that she had never seen anything like it
• We sell cakes, biscuits, sweets and the like - we sell cakes, cookies, sweets and the like
• He said something about his wishes or the like - he said something about his desires or something. like that
• I promise not to do the like again - I promise that I will never do such things again

Sometimes you can meet the noun like in the plural - in this case it will be translated as " tastes »:

• One's likes and dislikes - (someone's) likes and dislikes

Like-noun is seen in the following proverbs:

• like draws to like - looking for his own
• to return like for like - repay with the same coin
• like cures like - what hurt you, so heal

Like - adjective

In this case, we will translate like as " similar, similar »:

• I will cut my new dress in like manner - I will cut my new dress in like manner
• The manager is going to speak on this and the like subjects with you at the meeting that will be held on Monday - the manager will speak with you on this and similar issues at the meeting on Monday.
• People of like disposition can never live together - people with similar characters never get along
• The two sisters are very like - these two sisters are very similar
• What kind of girl is Ann? What is she like? What kind of girl is Anna? How she looks like?

Another meaning of like as an adjective is " such as… ", For example,

• This dress isn't for the lady like me - This dress is not for a lady like me
• You shouldn't speak in such a way to the man like me - you shouldn't speak in such a tone with a person like me.
• Like my father I'm going to become an officer - like my father, I'm going to become an officer.

Lke - adjective has another meaning: " equal, the same ' and occurs mainly in mathematics or physics, for example:

• I solved this sum twice but the result was a like sum - equal / same / sum
• like signs / quantities poles / charges - the same signs / quantities / poles / charges

Like-adjectives also have a few proverbs:

• as like as two peas - similar as two drops of water
• like father, like son - what is the father, such is the son; The apple never falls far from the tree
• like master, like man - by master and servant; what is the pop, such is the arrival

Like- adverb

As an adverb, like translates as " probably ", and in combination with other adverbs forms such phrases as" very likely quite likely »:

• She will come to our place tonight most (very) like - it is very likely that she will come to us tonight
• Like enough that he didn't receive your letter - it is quite likely that he did not receive your letter
• As like as not, she will accept your invitation - it is possible that she will accept your invitation.

Like - preposition

Like occurs in a sentence as the next preposition - " just like someone or like smth. ”, let’s see clearly in the examples:

• Like that, you have to fulfill all your duties properly - thus, you must fulfill your duties properly
• If you want to work with me do it like that - if you want to work with me, do it like this
• He swims like a fish and climbs like a monkey - he swims like a fish and climbs like a monkey
• She looks like her sister - she looks like her sister.
• I will tell you what has happened. It was like this - I'll tell you what happened. Here is how it was.
• You like everything that looks like gold - you like everything that looks like gold
• I'm not going to answer questions like that - I'm not going to answer questions like that.
• It is just like you to laugh at others - it's so like you - laugh at others.

We are used to using like - a preposition in the following set expressions:

It looks like rain (snow) - it looks like it will rain (snow)
. I feel like eating an ice-cream - I really want to eat ice cream
. She doesn't feel like coming with us - she doesn't want to go with us
. My house is something like 2 miles from here - my house is somewhere two miles from here
. This suit will cost you something like £200 - This suit will cost you somewhere around £200.
. There is nothing like a cup of coffee in the morning! Nothing beats a cup of coffee in the morning!
. This is something like a day! Let's go for a walk! - wonderful day! let's go for a walk!
. These vegetables are nothing like as fresh - these vegetables are far from being as fresh
. You must return home like a shot - you must return home immediately
. Don't run like the devil - no need to run like crazy!

Like - verb

Like is a verb meaning " to love (sth.), to treat smth. well or approvingly. or to smb., prefer, choose, want, desire ”, perhaps the most common - and best known meaning of this versatile word:

• I like fruit - I love fruits
• Well! I like that! - I like it!
• How do you like it? - How do you like it?
• Do as you like, but don't come and say that I was right - do as you please, but don't come and say that I was right
• I don't like you to be so impolite with your mother - I don't like that you are so impolite with your mother
• How do you like my house? - How do you like my house?
• I'd like you to wear light dresses - I want you to wear light dresses
• Shall I help you? - Yes, If you like - help you? - Yes, if you like.
• Call me any time you like - call me any time
• Would you like some ice cream? - Would you like some ice cream?
• I would like to speak to you - I would like to talk to you

http://englsecrets.ru/vsyakaya-vsyachina/mnogoznachnoe-slovo-like.html

Difference between as and likewhen used in English, it is undoubtedly present. To understand if you need to use as or like , you need to pay attention to the context of the sentence and know the rules for using these parts of speech.

The meanings of these words are close to each other:

Like - like, like.

As - in quality, as, equally, equally.

Like in English

Like is a preposition, which means that this word is followed by a noun (like a star - like a star, like your business - like your business), a pronoun (like you - like you, like that - like this) or a gerund (like singing - like singing).

Examples

She is like her mother. - She looks like her mother.

It's just like him. - It looks so much like him.

There's nothing like walking to keep you fit. There is nothing healthier than walking.

Do you hear this noise? It sounds like a girl shouting. - Do you hear this noise? It's like the girl is screaming.

The crowd was buzzing like a swarm of bees. The crowd was buzzing like a swarm of bees.

Use Like

• VERB + LIKE + NOUN/PRONOUN construction (verb + like + noun or pronoun)

My holiday was like a dream. - My vacation was like a dream (like a dream).

He can play the piano like a professional musician. - He plays the piano like a professional musician (like a professional musician).

My sister looks like me - My sister looks like me (looks like me)

As does not combine with nouns or with pronouns without a verb, therefore it is not used in constructions of this type - in thisdifference between like and as.

• Before like it is permissible to use adverbs of measure: very much, quite, rather, a lot, a bit and others, before as they are not used.

She sings very much like Britney Spears. - She sings very much like Britney Spears.

Your dress is a bit like mine. “Your dress is a bit like mine.

• Like is often combined with verbs of perception, expressions of this type are used more for description than comparison:

look like - look like; be like...
sound like - sound like; to sound like
feel like - to feel like; feel / feel like
taste like - taste like; recall to taste
smell like - smell like; to smell

Examples

Mary looks like her mother. - Mary looks like her mother (looks like her mother).

This music sounds like jazz. - This music is like jazz (sounds like jazz).

The sweater feels like wool, but it's polyester. - The sweater feels like wool, but it's polyester (it looks like wool).

This new sort of apples tastes like pears. - This new apple variety tastes like a pear (looks like a pear).

The clean towel smells like perfume. - A clean towel smells like perfume.

This place feels like home. - This place reminds (feels like) home.

It feels like we're stuck. - It seems (it feels like) that we are stuck.

• Like is used to give examples in speech.

In big cities like Moscow, prices are higher than in small towns. - In big cities like Moscow prices are higher than in small towns.

I like comedies with Jim Carrey , like The Mask or Bruce Almighty. - I love Jim Carrey comedies like The Mask or Bruce Almighty.

As in English

The word as can be not only a preposition, but also a union within the framework of a given topic. As mentioned earlier, the word like is accompanied by a noun, pronoun or gerund. But as is used if it is followed by a subject with a verb, which is usually a predicate.

He's a really good runner. He runs like a lynx. - He's a really good runner. He runs like a lynx (after like comes a noun).

Jane's decision seemed like a good one, so we did as she advised. - Jane's solution seemed appropriate, so we did as she advised (after as comes the subject with a verb-predicate).

Use of As

• The phrase as usual (as usual). It is used in this stable form.

I'll phone you tonight, as usual. - I'll call you tonight as usual.

As usual, they are running late. They are late as usual.

• AS + NOUN/PRONOUN + VERB construction (as + noun or pronoun + verb)

Nobody recites poems as my brother does. - No one reads poetry like my brother.

They started to dance as we did. They started dancing just like us.

In modern colloquial English examples like this is often used as a conjunction instead of as. Such expressions are informal.

For instance,

Nobody likes pizza like I do. Nobody loves pizza like I do.

• Construction AS + PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE (as + prepositional phrase)

If as is used before a prepositional phrase, then the phrase is separated by commas.

On Monday, as on Sunday, it was very cold. - On Monday, as well as on Sunday, it was very cold.

In the living room, as in the kitchen, there were a lot of flowers. - In the living room, as well as in the kitchen, there were many flowers.

• As is also used in the comparative construction as ... as (same as) or not as ... as (not the same as).

I am as tall as my sister. - I'm as tall as my sister.

Your car is not as fast as mine. Your car is not as fast as mine.

• As in English is put after such when you need to give an example or clarify something.

I admire classical composers such as Mozart and Vivaldi. - I admire classical composers such as Mozart and Vivaldi.

He speaks many languages, such as Polish, German and Spanish. - He can speak many languages ​​such as Polish, German and Spanish.

Such as can be replaced with like (especially in American English), but sentences with like sound informal.

• Another role as is the designation of the function or role of a person or object: a profession, the intended purpose of objects (in the meaning of "as").

He works as a doctor. - He works as a doctor (as a doctor).

She has worked as a secretary for three years. - She worked as a secretary for three years (as a secretary).

He used a mug as an ashtray. - He used the mug as an ashtray (as an ashtray).

You mustn "t use your gas stove as a heater. - You cannot use the gas stove as a heater (as a heater).

He came to our company as a trainee. He came to our company as an intern.

In the above examples, the use of like is not allowed.

• As is used in combination with the words if and though (as if / as though) to indicate the supposed similarity of objects, situations.

The music sounded as if / as though they were playing untuned instruments. The music sounded like they were playing out-of-tune instruments.

The pie looked as if/as though it was burnt. The pie looked like it was burnt.

He was giving orders as if he was the boss. He gave orders as if he were the boss.

She looks as if/ as though she is very upset. - She looks like she's very upset.

• If we are talking about situations that obviously do not correspond to reality, then we can use the past tense after as if / as though. Usagethe past tense is due to the subjunctive mood, which you can learn more about in this article:.

He argues as if / as though he is very knowledgeable about the issue. - He talks as if he is well-informed about the issue (perhaps he really has the information).

He argues as if / as though he were very knowledgeable about the issue. - He talks as if he is well-informed about the issue (but he clearly knows nothing about the issue).

In situations like this, you can use like instead of as if/as though, especially in informal conversations. Like expressions are more typical of American English, but can sometimes be found in British English as well.

It seems like the ladder is going to fall. It looks like the ladder is about to fall.

He was looking at the book like he was reading. He looked at the book as if he were reading.

Using like and asin negative sentences

• If the first part of the sentence is negative, then the comparison with as or like in the second part indicates a contrast (as opposed to).

I don "t drink alcohol, like Tom. - I don't drink alcoholic drinks, unlike Tom (Tom uses).

Mary didn "t lose her temper, as Ann did. - Mary did not get angry, unlike Anna (Anna got angry).

• If a comparative construction with as or like is at the beginning of a sentence, then the comparison applies to the entire sentence (same as).

Like my friends, I go out every weekend. - Just like my friends, I go for a walk on weekends.

Like Ann, I didn't lose my temper. - Like Anna, I didn't get angry.

LIKE

Verb + LIKE + noun/pronoun.

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• He speaks like a native speaker.
• She looks like a supermodel.

AS

The sentence structure is as follows: AS + subject (noun) + predicate (verb)

• nobody sings as she does.
• They went to the party as they were.

And now in order.

Like

1. The word like is used in situations where we compare something with something and say that something like something or is the same.

She is like her mother. - She looks like a mother (and the comparison can be not only external)

Her perfume smells like oranges. Her perfume smells like citrus. (i.e. smell "like" citrus fruits)

Imagine a grown woman acting like a child. Imagine a grown woman acting like a child!

2. like is used when listing and is translated "such as".

Some sports, like parachuting, can be very dangerous. Some sports, such as parachuting, can be very dangerous.

3. in the phrase "as if" (someone is doing something)

- "What's that noise?" - What is this noise?

- "It sounds like a baby crying." - Sounds like it. like a child is crying.

NB finally a few examples for translation:

AS

1. We use as talking about the profession or functions of someone (something) and will be translated as "as"

I worked as a shop assistant for 2 years when I was a student. — I worked as a salesperson(as seller) two years when I was a student.

He used his shoe as a hammer to hang the picture up. — He used his shoe as a hammer to hang a picture.

2. “same as” is translated in the as ... as construction (with an adjective in the middle)

He's just as stupid as his dog! — He's as stupid as his dog!

3. use as in stable expressions:

• how do you know - as you know
• as I said - as I told you
• as he suggested as he suggested
• as I thought - as I thought
• as usual - as usual
• as always - as always
• as we have agreed - as we agreed

• As you know classes restart on January 15th.
• I tried using salt as you suggested but the stain still didn't come out.
• As we agreed the company will be split 50/50 between us.