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Guest Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

Kaplin GMAT explanation VS. Prof Stumpf explanation

Is this a valid comparison? Is Kaplin correct about the use of 'like' in this sentence?

Kaplin: Hiram plays guitar (like/as) his father does. ANS: like
Strumpf: "Like is not a conjuction. It is a preposition." EX. I want to be famous like Brad Pitt is. ( incorrect ) I want to be famous like Brad Pitt. ( correct )
  

Top answer

'Like' is indeed a preposition, while 'as' is a conjunction, so that formal English requires 'Hiram plays guitar like his father' or 'Hiram plays guitar as his father does'. The fact of the matter, however, is that 'like' is often used as a conjunction informally, especially in AmE, and is acceptable as such. Nevertheless, when writing your thesis, I suggest you preserve the differences.

— Mister Micawber

  • 'Like' is indeed a preposition, while 'as' is a conjunction, so that formal English requires 'Hiram plays guitar like his father' or 'Hiram plays guitar as his father does'.
  • The fact of the matter, however, is that 'like' is often used as a conjunction informally, especially in AmE, and is acceptable as such.
  • Nevertheless, when writing your thesis, I suggest you preserve the differences.
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1 Answers
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'Like' is indeed a preposition, while 'as' is a conjunction, so that formal English requires 'Hiram plays guitar like his father' or 'Hiram plays guitar as his father does'.

The fact of the matter, however, is that 'like' is often used as a conjunction informally, especially in AmE, and is acceptable as such. Nevertheless, when writing your thesis, I suggest you preserve the differences
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