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Mickey Mouse 8241 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

like/as if/as though

Can we use 'like' as the following is?
"Although we've only just met, I feel like I've known you all my life."
As we know, 'like' is used as a preposition not conjunction.
Is above sentence acceptable in formal writing?
What is a substitute word for 'like'? 
"Although we've only just met, I feel as if/as though I've known you all my life."
"Although we've only just met, I feel as I've known you all my life."
  

Top answer

All of these work in British English with the exception of the last one. You need 'as if' or 'as though' and not just 'as' on its own.

— David Hatton

  • All of these work in British English with the exception of the last one.
  • You need 'as if' or 'as though' and not just 'as' on its own.
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4 Answers
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All of these work in British English with the exception of the last one.
You need 'as if' or 'as though' and not just 'as' on its own.
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Thanks for your help.
"Although we've only just met, I feel like I've known you all my life."
Is above sentence acceptable in formal writing?
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It's a thoroughly normal way of putting it. A more ardent grammarian may disagree, but it would sound alright in a formal situation.
The other two options sound more formal but that may be because 'like' has become a slang word in some examples in modern English.
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Mickey Mouse 8241Although we've only just met, I feel like I've known you all my life.
Ordinary conversational style.
Mickey Mouse 8241Although we've only just met, I feel as if/as though I've known you all my life.
The more formal equivalents for "like". Note that "that" is also perfectly acceptable and is used in all styl
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