Like vs. As – English Grammar Exercises for B2
Read the event manager’s urgent instructions to the team during a sudden rainstorm. Choose the best option to complete the sentences.
1 “Attention everyone! We need to immediately use the main conference room ______ a temporary lounge for our VIP guests.”
(a) like
(b) as
(c) similar to
(d) as if
2 “The rain outside is pouring down ______ a waterfall; we have to move the outdoor catering inside right now!”
(a) as
(b) like
(c) as though
(d) alike
3 “Quick, grab those large, clean garbage bags and use them ______ makeshift raincoats for the parking staff.”
(a) as
(b) like
(c) as to
(d) just as
4 “I know the venue director is acting ______ a dictator today, but please be patient; he is under a lot of pressure.”
(a) as
(b) alike
(c) like
(d) as if
5 “We cannot let the guests sit on the wet grass; it feels exactly ______ a muddy swamp out there.”
(a) as if
(b) similar to
(c) as
(d) like
6 “Please set up these wooden foldable tables to serve ______ the new buffet stations for the evening.”
(a) like
(b) as
(c) such as
(d) as being
7 “The frustrated guests are looking at us ______ we had personally caused this thunderstorm.”
(a) just like
(b) as
(c) as though
(d) alike
8 “I know it is not ideal, but we have to treat this narrow hallway ______ our main reception area for the next hour.”
(a) like
(b) alike
(c) as
(d) similar to
9 “Hurry up and use my large personal umbrella ______ a shield for the projector so the lens doesn’t get ruined!”
(a) like
(b) as
(c) to be
(d) as if
10 “Please guide them calmly to the exits. Right now, the panicked crowd is behaving ______ a flock of frightened sheep.”
(a) as
(b) like
(c) such as
(d) as though
11 “______ is often the case with outdoor summer events, the local weather forecast was completely inaccurate.”
(a) Like
(b) Which
(c) As if
(d) As
12 “I need someone to step up and act ______ the emergency safety coordinator until the security team arrives.”
(a) like
(b) as
(c) as if
(d) alike
13 “The catering manager foolishly dismissed my alternative indoor seating plan ______ a ridiculous idea yesterday.”
(a) like
(b) as
(c) similar to
(d) as though
14 “Roll up these dry promotional towels and use them ______ temporary pillows for the children resting in the back.”
(a) like
(b) as if
(c) as
(d) just like
15 “I will be working ______ the front desk receptionist tonight, even though I feel ______ hiding in the back room right now.”
(a) like / as
(b) as / like
(c) as / as if
(d) like / like
16 “Do not treat these expensive floral centerpieces ______ disposable trash just because they got a little wet!”
(a) like
(b) as
(c) as if
(d) alike
17 “When the main power went out, the sudden silence in the hall felt exactly ______ the whole world had stopped spinning.”
(a) like
(b) as
(c) as if
(d) similar to
18 “We must firmly regard this sudden weather crisis not ______ a disaster, but ______ a unique opportunity to showcase our adaptability.”
(a) like / like
(b) as / as
(c) like / as
(d) as / like
19 “I tried to use my phone flashlight ______ a spotlight for the speaker, but it looked ______ a tiny firefly in the massive dark room.”
(a) as / like
(b) like / as
(c) as / as if
(d) like / alike
20 “You are the team leader! Please stop running around in a panic ______ a headless chicken, and start making decisions ______ a true professional.”
(a) as / like
(b) like / as
(c) as if / like
(d) like / like
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): The phrase use something AS something assigns a specific, actual function to an object or space. The conference room is genuinely being converted into a lounge.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Meaning Trap: “Use like a lounge” implies it resembles a lounge but doesn’t actually serve the function, which contradicts the manager’s command). (c) similar to (Structural Error). (d) as if (Structural Error: Requires a full clause).
2 (b) like
- Why it is correct (The Key): Like + Noun is used for visual or descriptive comparison. The rain is not an actual waterfall; it just looks and acts similarly to one.
- Error Analysis: (a) as (Meaning Trap: “Pouring down as a waterfall” would literally mean the rain’s official job/identity is a waterfall). (c) as though (Structural Error: Requires a subject and a verb). (d) alike (Structural Error).
3 (a) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): Use something AS something. The garbage bags are literally serving the functional role of raincoats for the staff.
- Error Analysis: (b) like (Meaning Trap: They aren’t just similar to raincoats; they are officially acting in the capacity of raincoats for the duration of the storm). (c) as to (Structural Error). (d) just as (Structural Error).
4 (c) like
- Why it is correct (The Key): Act like + Noun means to behave in a manner similar to someone else. The director is not genuinely a dictator; he is just behaving poorly.
- Error Analysis: (a) as (Meaning Trap: “Acting as a dictator” means he was officially appointed to the role of dictator). (b) alike (Structural Error). (d) as if (Structural Error: Must be followed by a clause).
5 (d) like
- Why it is correct (The Key): The sensory verb feel requires like when followed by a noun to express a perceived similarity (feel like + Noun).
- Error Analysis: (c) as (Meaning Trap: “Feels as” is grammatically incorrect for sensory comparisons). (a) as if (Structural Error: Requires a full clause). (b) similar to (Less natural than “like” after sensory verbs).
6 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): The collocation serve AS something means to perform the actual function or role of that thing. The tables will literally be the buffet stations.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Meaning Trap: “Serve like” is grammatically incorrect here). (c) such as (Structural Error: Used for giving examples). (d) as being (Structural Error).
7 (c) as though
- Why it is correct (The Key): As though (synonymous with as if) is followed by a clause (“we had personally caused…”) to describe an unreal or hypothetical manner of looking at someone.
- Error Analysis: (a) just like (Structural Error: Usually followed by a noun or gerund). (b) as (Common Mistake: Cannot introduce a hypothetical clause like this). (d) alike (Structural Error).
8 (c) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): The collocation treat something AS something means to officially classify or use an item in a specific functional capacity.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Common Mistake: While ‘treat like’ is used for behavior towards people, ‘treat as’ is the standard fixed collocation for assigning a functional role to a space or object in professional contexts). (b) alike (Structural Error). (d) similar to (Structural Error).
9 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): Use something AS something. The umbrella is being given the functional job of a protective shield.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Meaning Trap: We need it to actually be a shield, not just resemble one). (c) to be (Structural Error). (d) as if (Structural Error).
10 (b) like
- Why it is correct (The Key): Behave like + Noun means to act in a manner similar to something else. The crowd is made of humans, not actual sheep.
- Error Analysis: (a) as (Meaning Trap: Literally implies they are a flock of sheep). (c) such as (Structural Error: Used for listing examples). (d) as though (Structural Error: Needs a clause).
11 (d) As
- Why it is correct (The Key): This is a fixed, highly formal phrase: As is often the case (meaning “which is a common situation”).
- Error Analysis: (a) Like (Common Mistake: A direct, incorrect translation of “similar to the case”). (b) Which (Grammatical error given the sentence structure). (c) As if (Structural Error).
12 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): The phrase act as + Noun means to perform the function or role of someone temporarily. The person will actually hold this responsibility.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Meaning Trap: “Act like the coordinator” carries a negative connotation of bossing people around without having the actual authority or doing the real work). (c) as if (Structural Error). (d) alike (Structural Error).
13 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): The collocation dismiss something AS something means to reject an idea because you officially categorize it as that thing.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Common Mistake: Wrong preposition for this specific verb phrase). (c) similar to (Structural Error). (d) as though (Structural Error).
14 (c) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): Use something AS something. The towels are assigned the functional reality of being pillows.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Meaning Trap). (b) as if (Structural Error). (d) just like (Common Mistake).
15 (b) as / like
- Why it is correct (The Key): “Working AS the receptionist” establishes the speaker’s true, actual role. “Feel LIKE hiding” uses the structure feel like + V-ing (meaning to have the urge to do something).
- Error Analysis: (a) like / as (Meaning Trap: Reverses reality and comparison). (c) as / as if (Structural Error: ‘As if’ requires a full clause, not a gerund). (d) like / like (Common Mistake).
16 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): Treat something AS something means to classify or handle it in a certain capacity.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Common Mistake: Again, ‘treat as’ is the standard for functional classification). (c) as if (Structural Error). (d) alike (Structural Error).
17 (c) as if
- Why it is correct (The Key): Followed by a clause (“the whole world had stopped spinning”) to indicate a surreal, hypothetical feeling.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Common Mistake: While common in informal spoken English, formal B2/C1 grammar strictly requires ‘as if’ or ‘as though’ before a clause). (b) as (Structural Error). (d) similar to (Structural Error).
18 (b) as / as
- Why it is correct (The Key): The collocation is regard something AS something (to view or classify something in a certain capacity). Both gaps require ‘as’ to maintain parallel structure.
- Error Analysis: (a) like / like (Common Mistake). (c) like / as (Structural Error). (d) as / like (Structural Error).
19 (a) as / like
- Why it is correct (The Key): “Use my flashlight AS a spotlight” assigns an actual functional role. “Looked LIKE a tiny firefly” is a visual comparison to a noun.
- Error Analysis: (b) like / as (Meaning Trap: Reverses reality and comparison). (c) as / as if (Structural Error). (d) like / alike (Structural Error).
20 (b) like / as
- Why it is correct (The Key): “Running around LIKE a headless chicken” is a simile (a comparison; they are not actually a chicken). “Making decisions AS a true professional” refers to their actual status (they are the team leader and a professional).
- Error Analysis: (a) as / like (Meaning Trap: Would mean they are legally a chicken, but are just pretending to be a professional). (c) as if / like (Structural Error). (d) like / like (Common Mistake: Fails to acknowledge the person’s true authority).
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
- AS for Function & Improvisation:
- Use As + Noun when stating the actual role, or the true function an object is serving at that moment. When you improvise, you give an object a new reality.
- Formula: Use [Object A] AS [Object B]
- Example: “Use the table as a bed.” (The table is officially functioning as a bed right now).
- Key Verbs: Work as, serve as, act as, treat as, regard as, dismiss as.
- LIKE for Similarity & Metaphors:
- Use Like + Noun/Pronoun to compare two things that share characteristics but are fundamentally different. It is perfect for dramatic exaggeration.
- Example: “He is running around like a chicken.” (He is a human, not a bird).
- Sensory Verbs: Always use look like, sound like, feel like, behave like before a noun.
- AS IF / AS THOUGH for Surreal Sentiments:
- These conjunctions must be followed by a Clause (Subject + Verb). Use them to describe hypothetical, unreal situations or feelings.
- Example: “It felt as if the world had ended.” (The world did not actually end).
- Fixed Professional Phrases:
- As is often the case (Which is a common situation).
- Feel like + V-ing (To have the urge or desire to do something, e.g., “I feel like crying”).