Like vs. As – English Grammar Exercises for B2
Read the tech blogger’s review of this new hybrid multi-tool device carefully, and choose the best option to complete the sentences.
1 I specifically bought this incredibly versatile tablet to use it ______ my primary work device while traveling.
(a) like
(b) as
(c) as if
(d) similar to
2 When you attach the magnetic keyboard, the entire setup looks exactly ______ a premium, high-end ultrabook.
(a) as
(b) alike
(c) like
(d) as though
3 The protective cover is brilliantly engineered; it doubles ______ a sturdy stand for watching movies on the plane.
(a) like
(b) as
(c) to be
(d) as being
4 The OLED screen is so crisp and vibrant that reading digital comics on it feels ______ reading a high-quality glossy magazine.
(a) as
(b) as if
(c) like
(d) such as
5 I would highly recommend this ultimate gadget to anyone currently working ______ a freelance graphic designer.
(a) like
(b) as
(c) as to
(d) alike
6 When you are editing on a bumpy train ride, you can comfortably use the trackpad ______ your main navigation tool instead of the touchscreen.
(a) as
(b) like
(c) as if
(d) similar to
7 Some competing brands treat their keyboard accessories ______ a mere afterthought, but here, it is central to the user experience.
(a) like
(b) as
(c) as though
(d) alike
8 Typing on this tactile keyboard doesn’t feel mushy at all; it feels exactly ______ typing on a mechanical desktop keyboard.
(a) as
(b) as if
(c) like
(d) just as
9 If you detach the screen, the device can instantly function ______ a lightweight, standalone e-reader.
(a) like
(b) as
(c) as if
(d) to be
10 The cooling system is completely silent, ______ is rarely the case with such powerful 2-in-1 hybrid machines.
(a) Like
(b) Which
(c) As if
(d) As
11 The sleek aluminum chassis and sharp edges make the tablet look and feel ______ a piece of modern art.
(a) as
(b) like
(c) as though
(d) similar
12 I was highly skeptical at first, but after a week of heavy use, I can confirm it truly serves ______ a complete laptop replacement.
(a) like
(b) as
(c) to be as
(d) as being
13 The advanced facial recognition unlocks the device so instantly, it is almost ______ the tablet can read your mind.
(a) as
(b) like as
(c) as if
(d) similar to
14 Many prominent tech influencers already regard the OmniPad Pro ______ the new gold standard for hybrid computing.
(a) as
(b) like
(c) alike
(d) as to
15 If you are a professional video editor, you will love how the secondary touch-bar operates ______ a precision editing dial.
(a) like
(b) as
(c) as though
(d) alike
16 The device handles heavy 4K video rendering flawlessly, ______ it had a massive desktop processor hidden inside.
(a) as
(b) like
(c) as though
(d) similar to
17 At first glance, I foolishly dismissed the lightweight, ultra-thin design ______ a fragile gimmick.
(a) like
(b) as
(c) as if
(d) alike
18 ______ many other tech reviewers, I initially thought the battery life would be terrible, but it easily lasted 12 hours!
(a) As
(b) Like
(c) Such as
(d) As if
19 You can rely on the OmniPad to perform perfectly, whether you are utilizing it ______ a digital canvas or just playing games ______ a teenager.
(a) like / as
(b) as / like
(c) like / like
(d) as / as
20 Not only does this tablet serve ______ an excellent entertainment hub, but it also behaves ______ an absolute powerhouse when you run heavy software.
(a) like / as
(b) as / like
(c) as / as if
(d) like / alike
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): Use something AS something defines the actual function or capacity of the object. The tablet is genuinely functioning in the capacity of a primary work device.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Meaning Trap: “Use like a work device” implies it is not a real work device, just a toy you are pretending to work on). (c) as if (Structural Error: Must be followed by a full clause). (d) similar to (Structural Error).
2 (c) like
- Why it is correct (The Key): The sensory verb look requires like when followed by a noun to express visual similarity (look like + Noun). The tablet is not actually an ultrabook; it just resembles one.
- Error Analysis: (a) as (Meaning Trap: “Look as” is grammatically incorrect for comparing appearance to a noun). (b) alike (Structural Error: ‘Alike’ is an adverb/adjective and cannot be followed by an object). (d) as though (Structural Error: Requires a subject and verb clause).
3 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): The phrase double AS something is a B2/C1 collocation meaning to serve a secondary function or purpose. The cover literally functions as a stand.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Common Mistake: ‘Double like’ is not a valid collocation in English). (c) to be (Structural Error). (d) as being (Structural Error).
4 (c) like
- Why it is correct (The Key): The structure feel like + Noun/Gerund is used to compare a sensation or experience to something else (reading a magazine).
- Error Analysis: (a) as (Common Mistake: Students frequently confuse ‘as’ and ‘like’ after sensory verbs). (b) as if (Structural Error: Must be followed by a full clause). (d) such as (Structural Error: Used for listing examples).
5 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): Work AS + Job Title states the person’s actual profession.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Meaning Trap: Working “like a graphic designer” means you do similar tasks, but your actual job title is something else). (c) as to (Structural Error). (d) alike (Structural Error).
6 (a) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): Use something AS something. The trackpad is given the literal, functional role of the main navigation tool.
- Error Analysis: (b) like (Meaning Trap: Means it resembles a navigation tool but isn’t actually being used as one). (c) as if (Structural Error). (d) similar to (Structural Error).
7 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): The collocation treat something AS something means to officially classify or handle an item in a specific functional capacity.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Common Mistake: While ‘treat like’ is sometimes used informally, ‘treat as’ is the standard fixed collocation for assigning a functional role or status to a concept). (c) as though (Structural Error). (d) alike (Structural Error).
8 (c) like
- Why it is correct (The Key): Feel like + Gerund is used to compare a physical sensation to another activity. It feels similar to typing on a mechanical keyboard.
- Error Analysis: (a) as (Structural Error/Meaning Trap). (b) as if (Structural Error: Requires a full subject+verb clause). (d) just as (Structural Error).
9 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): The phrase function AS something means to operate in that actual role or capacity. The device literally fulfills the role of an e-reader.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Meaning Trap: “Function like” implies it merely imitates an e-reader but doesn’t genuinely do the job). (c) as if (Structural Error). (d) to be (Structural Error).
10 (d) As
- Why it is correct (The Key): This is a fixed, highly formal phrase: As is often the case or As is rarely the case (meaning “which is a common/rare situation”).
- Error Analysis: (a) Like (Common Mistake: A direct, incorrect translation of “similar to the case”). (b) Which (Structural Error: Incorrect given the syntax of this specific sentence structure). (c) As if (Structural Error).
11 (b) like
- Why it is correct (The Key): Sensory verbs look and feel are followed by like to compare the tablet to a noun phrase (“a piece of modern art”).
- Error Analysis: (a) as (Meaning Trap: It is not literally a piece of modern art). (c) as though (Structural Error: Needs a clause). (d) similar (Structural Error: Missing ‘to’).
12 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): The collocation serve AS something means to perform the actual function or role of that thing. It genuinely replaces a laptop.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Meaning Trap: “Serve like” is grammatically incorrect here). (c) to be as (Structural Error). (d) as being (Structural Error).
13 (c) as if
- Why it is correct (The Key): As if (or as though) introduces a hypothetical or unreal situation followed by a clause (“the tablet can read your mind”). The tablet cannot actually read minds.
- Error Analysis: (a) as (Structural Error: Cannot introduce a hypothetical clause like this). (b) like as (Structural Error: Non-existent phrase). (d) similar to (Structural Error: Must be followed by a noun).
14 (a) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): The collocation regard something AS something means to view, classify, or establish something in a certain capacity.
- Error Analysis: (b) like (Meaning Trap: You do not “regard like”; you classify it “as”). (c) alike (Structural Error). (d) as to (Structural Error).
15 (b) as
- Why it is correct (The Key): The collocation operate AS something (similar to function as) denotes that the touch-bar performs the actual, factual role of an editing dial.
- Error Analysis: (a) like (Meaning Trap: Implies it’s an imitation, whereas it truly is the editing dial in this context). (c) as though (Structural Error). (d) alike (Structural Error).
16 (c) as though
- Why it is correct (The Key): As though is synonymous with as if and introduces an unreal or hypothetical clause (“it had a massive desktop processor”). It is a tablet, so it doesn’t actually have a desktop processor.
- Error Analysis: (a) as (Structural Error: ‘As’ would mean it is a factual reality). (b) like (Common Mistake: In formal B2 grammar, you must use ‘as if/as though’ before a full clause, not ‘like’). (d) similar to (Structural Error).
17 (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) as if (Structural Error). (d) alike (Structural Error).
18 (b) Like
- Why it is correct (The Key): Use Like + Noun/Pronoun as a preposition to show similarity (“Similar to many other reviewers”).
- Error Analysis: (a) As (Common Mistake: ‘As’ cannot be used as a preposition of similarity before a noun phrase in this way). (c) Such as (Used for giving examples, not direct comparisons). (d) As if (Structural Error).
19 (b) as / like
- Why it is correct (The Key): “Utilizing it AS a digital canvas” means it literally functions in that capacity. “Playing games LIKE a teenager” compares your behavior to a teenager (you are an adult, not an actual teenager).
- Error Analysis: (a) like / as (Meaning Trap: Reverses reality and comparison). (c) like / like (Common Mistake). (d) as / as (Meaning Trap).
20 (b) as / like
- Why it is correct (The Key): “Serve AS an entertainment hub” states its actual function. “Behaves LIKE a powerhouse” compares its performance to a heavy machine using a simile.
- Error Analysis: (a) like / as (Meaning Trap). (c) as / as if (Structural Error). (d) like / alike (Structural Error).
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
- AS for Function & Capacity:
- Use As + Noun to state the actual role a person plays or the true function an object serves. In tech reviews, a gadget is often praised for handling multiple roles.
- Formula: Use [Object] AS [Tool]
- Key Verbs: Function as, serve as, double as, operate as, act as.
- Example: “The tablet doubles as an external monitor.” (It officially performs this function).
- LIKE for Similarity & Metaphors:
- Use Like + Noun/Pronoun to compare two things that share characteristics but are fundamentally different. It is perfect for describing how a device feels or looks to the user.
- Sensory & Action Verbs: Always use look like, sound like, feel like, behave like before a noun.
- Example: “Typing on the screen feels like typing on glass.”
- AS IF / AS THOUGH for Hypotheticals:
- These conjunctions must be followed by a Clause (Subject + Verb). Use them to describe situations that are not actually true, often to praise a device’s magical or seamless performance.
- Example: “It runs so fast, it feels as if it had a desktop processor inside.”
- Verbs of Classification:
- In formal professional English, use as to categorize concepts or items: Regard as, treat as, classify as, dismiss as.