"I would like to know what the difference is between 'like' and 'as'."

Tan, Malaysia

The words like and as are often confused. They can both be used to make comparisons between different things but it can be difficult to know which word to use and when.

In this programme, Kate and Li look at when to use like and as and on some occasions when both can be used.

Which of the following statement is correct?

Would this be a nice fancy dress?

Listen to the programme to check whether you are right.

1. He looks just like his brother.
2. He look just as his brother.

If you have a question for our team, send it to us at questions.chinaelt@bbc.co.uk.

We might produce a programme about your question.

听力原文

Like and as:  两个词的用法
 
Yang Li:  大家好我是杨莉，欢迎收听《你问我答》节目，今天我的搭档是 Kate. Hi Kate.
  
Kate:  Hi Li. Er…. Li, I have something to ask you…..er… why are you dressed as a bumblebee? 
 
Yang Li:  Oh yes – my bumblebee costume! I forgot I was wearing it. Well, I'm going to a fancy dress party 化妆舞会 on Saturday dressed as a bumblebee and I thought I'd practise wearing the outfit to work first. Do you like it?
 
Kate:  Yes I really like it. In fact, I nearly didn’t recognise you. You look just like a bumblebee – a very big bumblebee!
 
Yang Li:  Yes, I really look as one don't I! 
 
Kate:  Er sorry Li, but I think you meant to say 'I look like one' not 'as one'. 
 
Yang Li:  啊，对对对。我觉得英语中的两个词 as 和 like 非常易混! 你看巧不巧啊，今天我们要解答的问题正是这两个词的区别，问题来自马拉西亚的TAN，请听他的问题。 
 
'I would like to know what the difference is between like and as'. 
 
Kate:  Well, it's a very good question Tan, as these words are easily confused. They can both be used to make comparisons between different things, but it can be difficult to know which word to use and when. 
 
Yang Li:  没错，难就难在as 和like这两个词有时可以互换，有时又不能互换，比如说 'he looks like his brother' 但是我们不能说 'he looks as his brother'.
 
Kate:  But confusingly, you can say 'I am dressed like a bumblebee' and also 'I am dressed as a bumblebee'.
 
Yang Li:  接下来我们将探讨一下什么情况下这两个词可以互换，什么时候不可以互换。 
 
But first, Kate, I have to tell you that I am so pleased that you think I look like a bumblebee. My costume is obviously doing its job! 
 
Kate:  Yes it is. You do look very like a bumblebee. (pause) Did you notice that I just used the word 'like' to compare things that have the same feel or appearance to something else? Let's listen to some more examples: 
 
 
 
Page 2 of 3
 
 
Insert:
 
A:  Do you like the cake?
  Yes, it tastes like the ones my mother makes.
 
A:  I recognised John straight away. He looks just like his father. 
A:    Martin is sick today.
B:     It doesn't surprise me. He's been working like a dog for last few weeks.
 
Li:  以上对话中的 'like' 这个词意思是像，类似。 (比如英语中形容一个人工作特努力就是像狗一样工作'working like a dog').
 
Kate:  Here, the word like is followed by a noun or pronoun. However, you can't use the word 'as' in this context. It is wrong to say 'He looks as his father' or 'He's been working as a dog'. 
 
 
STING
Kate:   So, when can we use the word 'as'?
 
Yang Li:  另外一个重要的用法就是用as 来表示做什么工作或职位以及功能，相当于汉语中的，作为。 
 
Insert
 
A:   I'm looking for a job.
B:  What experience do you have?
A:  I've been working as a waiter for two years. 
 
A:  It's pouring with rain! How are you going to get home without getting wet?
B:  Don't worry, I'll use my bag as an umbrella. 
 
 
Yang Li:  以上例句中的as 用来形容一种工作，职能或功能。 干餐馆服务员的as a waiter 或当雨伞来用 as an umbrella.
Yang Li:  Kate, 你刚才说过as 和 like 有时可以相互替代，是吧？ 
Kate:  Yes, there are. So far we've seen as and like being used before nouns. But we can also use them before clauses containing a verb. When we use them in this way, we can use either word. The only difference is a slight change in formality. Like is slightly less formal than as. Let's listen:
 
 
 
Page 3 of 3
 
 
Inserts
A:  When I go to Italy I always drink strong black coffee in the morning just as the locals do.
 
A:  When I go to Italy I always drink strong black coffee in the morning just like the locals do.
 
A:  The weather this weekend was very bad, just as it was last week. 
 
A:  The weather this weekend was very bad, just like it was last week.
  
Yang Li:  从以上例句大家可能已经看出来在使用从句的情况下 as 和 like 可以互换，表达的意思相同，只不过正式的程度稍有区别而已。 
Kate:   Well – I hope you enjoy your party on Saturday Li. 
Yang Li:  Thanks Kate - em Kate, I've been meaning to ask you… I couldn't help but notice that you are also wearing a costume. What are you dressed as exactly…..?  Mmm – it's hard to tell….
Kate:  Costume? I'm not wearing a costume Li. These are my normal clothes! 
Li:  (糟糕，说走嘴了!!!! 我得赶快换个话题)  谢谢, Tan 马来西亚给我们发来的问题，希望今天的讲解对你有帮助。 
Kate:  Remember, if you have a question do drop us an email to questions.chinaelt@bbc.co.uk
  
Yang Li:  Thanks for listening and see you next time.
 
Kate:   Bye.