As a server

Question

Hello, how are you? I would like to ask a question about usage of "as". I know that we must consider contexts all the time to understand sentences exactly. So can I understand this sentence in two ways?

I treat him as a server.

I know the example is so lame but my question is that "as a server" can be an object compliment, him = a server. and sometimes a subjective compliment, I = a server in it.

So Is it possible to understand the sentence in two ways considering contexts or is there another rule to make it clear?

Thank you as always and hope to hear from you.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

You have asked a great question.

Almost all of us (both native speakers and learners) want to speak "correct" English. So sometimes we make mistakes in our desire to speak "perfectly."

IMHO:

"I treat him as an adult" = I treat him as an adult would treat him.

"I treat him like an adult" = I treat him as if he were an adult.

So many people have been taught that we should not use "like" as a conjunction that they may be afraid to use the word in other sentences.

For example, "Please do it as I do it." NOT: "Please do it like I do it."

*****

Many times a child might say to his parents: "I'm 12 years old. Stop treating like a child!" (NOT: "as")

Or maybe an angry wife might say to her husband: "Don't treat me like a servant!" (NOT: "as")

As a server

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