such as and like

Question

Hi,Are 'such as' and 'like' interchangeable here?1.She has been to many countries, such as/like China, Japan and Singapore. 2.I want to take part in some  activities such as/like hiking, swimming and so on.Thank you very much.

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

Yes.<br/>CB

SimpleHearted · Answer

I think they're interchangeable, too, but also would like to suggest "including," which is much more commonly used in such cases, e.g.:

1.She has been to many countries, including China, Japan and Singapore.

2.I want to take part in some activities, including hiking, swimming and so on.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you very much.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Are 'such as' and 'like' interchangeable here?

1.She has been to many countries, such as/like China, Japan and Singapore.

2.I want to take part in some activities such as/like hiking, swimming and so on.

They certainly seem the same in most cases, but perhaps it depends on the context and on how carefully you analyze the meaning. I feel there can be a subtle distinction sometimes. Consider these sentences.

I want a car like a Mercedes. I want a car that is similar to a Mercedes.

I want a car such as a Mercedes. I want a Mercedes, or a car that is like one.

Best wishes, Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Hi Clive,

1.Thank you for your comment. According to your second sentence, your explanation is that 'I want a Mercedes, or a car that is like one.' What do you mean by 'a car that is like one'? Does it mean 'a car is similar to a Mercedes'?

Sorry I'm a little confused.

2.'Behavior such as this is just not acceptable in this school.'

Could you please check if the sentence is correct and could we use 'like' to rewrite the sentence this way without change the meaning?
Here as follows:
'Behavior like this is just not acceptable in this school.'

Thanks a lot.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

1.Thank you for your comment. According to your second sentence, your explanation is that 'I want a Mercedes, or a car that is like one.' What do you mean by 'a car that is like one'? Does it mean 'a car is similar to a Mercedes'? Yes.

Sorry I'm a little confused.

2.'Behavior such as this is just not acceptable in this school.'

Could you please check if the sentence is correct and could we use 'like' to rewrite the sentence this way without change the meaning?
Here as follows:
'Behavior like this is just not acceptable in this school.' Yes. As I said, the two terms 'certainly seem the same in most cases'. In other words, they can usually be interchanged. What you have written is fine.

Best wishes, Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you very much for your reply, Clive.

such as and like

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