Functions and notions

Similarity

Like and as are both be used to say that things are similar. Like is a preposition, and is followed by a noun or a pronoun.

• She sings like a bird.
• You write like me, with your left hand.

We often use like after verbs of the senses (look, sound, feel, taste and smell).

• This smells like leather, but it doesn't look like it or feel like it.
• What are the neighbors cooking? It smells like curry.
• You sound like your mother when you get angry.

As is a conjunction, and is followed by a subject + verb or by a prepositional phrase.

• Nobody sings as I do.
• In summer, as in winter, we go to the mountains.

In informal speech, like is often used as a conjunction.

• Nobody sings like I do.
• Like I said, I don't enjoy this.

(Not) as + adjective / adverb + as

We use (not) as + adjective / adverb + as to say that two things are equal.

• Her new film's just as good as her last one.
• I can't type as quickly as Jan.

(Not) as much / many + noun + as

We use (not) as much / many + noun + as to say that two quantities are equal. We use as much with countable nouns and as many with uncountable nouns.

• He earns as much money as a company director.
• The party was good, but there weren't as many people there as we expected.

Similar to, identical to, the same as

We use similar to express the notion of similarity. We use identical to and the same as to say that there is no difference between two things.

• This article is similar to one I read on the Internet recently.
• This watch is identical to / the same as a real Rolex.

For information about other comparative forms, see Functions and notions, Comparison.