Like vs. As – English Grammar Exercises for B2
Read the IT Manager’s strict instructions regarding network security carefully, and choose the best option to complete the sentences.
1 “Please configure the firewall exactly ______ the manual instructs, without altering any parameters.”
(a) like
(b) as
(c) similar to
(d) as if
2 “You must treat your master password ______ the keys to your house; never share it with anyone.”
(a) as
(b) like
(c) alike
(d) as to
3 “It is mandatory that you set up the two-factor authentication exactly ______ I demonstrated earlier.”
(a) as
(b) like
(c) as if
(d) just like
4 “Working ______ a cybersecurity analyst for this firm means you cannot afford any careless mistakes.”
(a) like
(b) as being
(c) as
(d) similar to
5 “Do not behave ______ cyber threats are just imaginary scenarios; they are real and constant.”
(a) as
(b) as though
(c) like as
(d) alike
6 “Execute the daily data backup protocol exactly ______ shown on page 4 of the SOP.”
(a) like
(b) as
(c) as if
(d) similar
7 “Leaving your workstation unlocked while getting coffee is exactly ______ leaving your front door wide open.”
(a) as
(b) as if
(c) like
(d) such as
8 “Please proceed with the end-to-end server encryption process exactly ______ planned.”
(a) like
(b) as to
(c) as
(d) as though
9 “If a minor security breach occurs, you must handle it ______ the entire network is compromised.”
(a) as if
(b) like as
(c) as
(d) similar
10 “You must strictly regard any unsolicited email attachment ______ a potential malware threat.”
(a) like
(b) as
(c) alike
(d) as if
11 “Do not use common dictionary words for your password, ______ is explicitly stated in our corporate policy.”
(a) like
(b) as
(c) which
(d) as if
12 “We hold highly sensitive client data, meaning we must defend our database ______ a digital fortress.”
(a) as
(b) as if
(c) like
(d) such as
13 “I am speaking to you ______ the Head of IT Security; compliance with these rules is not optional.”
(a) as
(b) like
(c) as being
(d) to be
14 “If the system crashes, you must reboot the main server exactly ______ you were trained to do.”
(a) similar to
(b) as if
(c) like
(d) as
15 “Some employees in other departments act ______ clicking suspicious links has no consequences.”
(a) like as
(b) as if
(c) as
(d) alike
16 “Format all external hard drives strictly ______ required by the compliance department before use.”
(a) as
(b) like
(c) as to
(d) similar
17 “You absolutely cannot run this high-security corporate network ______ your personal home Wi-Fi.”
(a) as
(b) as if
(c) like
(d) alike
18 “Dismissing these automated firewall warnings ______ false alarms will get you terminated immediately.”
(a) like
(b) as
(c) as if
(d) similar to
19 “Follow the data encryption steps exactly ______ written, without skipping or combining anything.”
(a) as
(b) like
(c) as though
(d) just like
20 “Remember, ______ I mentioned at the beginning of this briefing, data security is everyone’s responsibility.”
(a) like
(b) which
(c) as
(d) as if
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): As + Clause (Subject + Verb) means “in the way that.” This is the formal, correct way to give strict instructions demanding exact compliance.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Common Mistake: “Like the manual instructs” is highly informal and considered grammatically incorrect in strict SOPs). (c) similar to (Structural Error: Must be followed by a noun, not a clause). (d) as if (Meaning Trap: Means hypothetically, but the manual actually does instruct this).
2 (b) like
- Why it is correct (The Key): Like + Noun is used for comparison (meaning “similar to”). The password is not actually a physical key, so you are comparing its importance.
- Error Analysis: (a) as (Meaning Trap: “Treat as the keys” would mean it physically serves the function of house keys). (c) alike (Structural Error). (d) as to (Structural Error).
3 (a) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): As + Clause (“I demonstrated”). It demands that the action is performed in the exact manner shown.
- Error Analysis: (b) like (Common Mistake: Informal and incorrect before a clause in formal guidelines). (d) just like (Common Mistake). (c) as if (Meaning Trap: Indicates a hypothetical situation).
4 (c) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): As + Job title/Role denotes a person’s actual capacity. They truly are cybersecurity analysts.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Meaning Trap: “Working like an analyst” implies they have a different job but work similarly to one). (b) as being (Structural Error). (d) similar to (Structural Error).
5 (b) as though
- Why it is correct (The Key): As though (or as if) must be followed by a clause. It introduces an unreal or hypothetical manner of behaving.
- Error Analysis: (a) as (Structural Error: Cannot introduce a hypothetical clause). (c) like as (Structural Error). (d) alike (Structural Error).
6 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): “As shown” is a reduced clause (short for “as it is shown”). This is the standard formal structure for referencing documents.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Common Mistake: You cannot say “like shown”). (c) as if (Meaning Trap). (d) similar (Structural Error).
7 (c) like
- Why it is correct (The Key): Like + Noun/Gerund is used to compare two actions. Leaving a computer unlocked is compared to leaving a door open.
- Error Analysis: (a) as (Meaning Trap: ‘As’ cannot be used as a preposition of similarity here). (b) as if (Structural Error: Needs a full subject+verb clause). (d) such as (Used for giving examples, not direct comparisons).
8 (c) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): “As planned” is a standard formal reduced clause (short for “as it was planned”), referencing an agreed-upon procedure.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Common Mistake: “Like planned” is grammatically incorrect). (b) as to (Meaning Error). (d) as though (Meaning Trap).
9 (a) as if
- Why it is correct (The Key): Introduces a hypothetical situation. Even if the breach is minor, you must treat it hypothetically “as if” it were massive.
- Error Analysis: (b) like as (Structural Error). (c) as (Structural Error/Meaning Trap: ‘As’ would mean it is a factual reality). (d) similar (Structural Error).
10 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): The collocation regard something AS something means to officially classify or view it in a specific capacity.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Common Mistake: “Regard like” is a prepositional error). (c) alike (Structural Error). (d) as if (Structural Error).
11 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): This is a fixed formal phrase: As is stated (meaning “according to what is stated”).
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Common Mistake). (c) which (Structural Error: “Which is explicitly stated” would need to directly follow the noun it modifies, but ‘as’ refers to the entire preceding clause’s concept). (d) as if (Meaning Trap).
12 (c) like
- Why it is correct (The Key): Comparing the database to a physical fortress using Like + Noun.
- Error Analysis: (a) as (Meaning Trap: “Defend as a fortress” would mean the database literally is a physical fortress). (b) as if (Structural Error: Requires a clause). (d) such as (Used for examples).
13 (a) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): As + Role states actual authority. The speaker genuinely is the Head of IT Security.
- Error Analysis: (b) like (Meaning Trap: Implies they are pretending to be the Head of IT). (c) as being (Structural Error). (d) to be (Structural Error).
14 (d) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): As + Clause (“you were trained”). Demands compliance to perform the action in the exact manner taught.
- Error Analysis: (c) like (Common Mistake: Informal and inappropriate for strict SOPs). (b) as if (Meaning Trap). (a) similar to (Structural Error).
15 (b) as if
- Why it is correct (The Key): Act as if + Clause expresses that someone is behaving based on a false or hypothetical premise (that clicking links is harmless).
- Error Analysis: (c) as (Common Mistake). (a) like as (Structural Error). (d) alike (Structural Error).
16 (a) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): “As required” is a standard reduced clause referencing rules (short for “as it is required”).
- Error Analysis: (b) like (Common Mistake: “Like required” is grammatically incorrect). (c) as to (Meaning Error). (d) similar (Structural Error).
17 (c) like
- Why it is correct (The Key): Like + Noun used for a direct comparison of two things. You cannot treat the corporate network similarly to a home network.
- Error Analysis: (a) as (Meaning Trap: The corporate network can never actually be a home Wi-Fi). (b) as if (Structural Error). (d) alike (Structural Error).
18 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): The collocation dismiss something AS something means to officially reject or categorize an alert in the capacity of a false alarm.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Common Mistake: Wrong preposition for this specific verb phrase). (c) as if (Structural Error). (d) similar to (Structural Error).
19 (a) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): “As written” is a reduced clause referencing the exact state of the document.
- Error Analysis: (b) like (Common Mistake: “Like written” is incorrect). (c) as though (Meaning Trap). (d) just like (Common Mistake).
20 (c) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): As + Clause (“I mentioned”) is the formal way to say “According to what I mentioned.”
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Common Mistake: “Like I mentioned” is acceptable in casual speech but incorrect in formal writing and briefings). (b) which (Structural Error). (d) as if (Meaning Trap).
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
- AS for Strict Instructions (Manner Clauses):
- Use As + Clause (Subject + Verb) to demand that an action is performed in an exact, specific way. This is crucial for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Example: “Do it exactly as I showed you.” (Never write “like I showed you” in formal documents).
- Reduced Clauses: You will frequently see as with past participles in instructions: As planned, As shown, As required, As written, As stated.
- AS for Authority and Classification:
- Use As + Noun to state actual authority, roles, or reality.
- Example: “Speaking as the manager…” (Establishing real authority).
- Verbs of Classification: Formal procedures use as to categorize threats or data: Regard as, Treat as, Classify as, Dismiss as.
- LIKE for Comparisons:
- Use Like + Noun/Gerund to compare two things that are similar but fundamentally different.
- Example: “Treat your password like a key.” (A password is not a physical key, so you are comparing the level of care).
- AS IF / AS THOUGH for Hypotheticals:
- Use these conjunctions before a Clause (Subject + Verb) to describe unreal situations, often to warn against dangerous or careless behavior.
- Example: “Do not act as if the firewall is unbreakable.” (Because it is not unbreakable).