Like vs Such As: A Guide to Using the Right Word in Contexts

Like vs such as – have you ever heard people use these words in sentences? They are not the same. They have different meanings and uses.

In this article, you will learn how to use them correctly. You will also learn some tips and tricks to avoid making mistakes with these words.

After reading this article, you will be able to write better sentences with “like” and “such as”. Let’s get started.

When to Use “Like”?

Now that you know the purpose of this article, let’s dive into the details. Firstly, you need to know when and how to use the word “like”.

One way to use “like” is to compare two things that are similar or have something in common. For example, you can say:

1. She looks like her mother. (They have a similar appearance.)
2. He runs like a cheetah. (They have similar speeds.)
3. It sounds like thunder. (They have similar noises.)

Another way to use “like” is to give an example that is not specific or exact. For example, you can say:

1. I like fruits like apples and oranges. (There are other fruits that I like too.)
2. He likes sports like soccer and basketball. (There are other sports that he likes too.)
3. She studies subjects like math and science. (There are other subjects that she studies too.)

An exception to this rule is using “like” to introduce a clause (a group of words with a subject and a verb). In this case, you should use “as” instead of “like”. For example, you can say:

1. Do as I say, not as I do. ( Do like I say, not like I do.)
2. He acted as if nothing had happened. ( He acted like nothing had happened.)

When to Use “Such As”?

You use “such as”  to introduce a list of specific examples or items that belong to a category. For example, you can say:

1. I like fruits such as apples and oranges. (Apples and oranges are specific fruits that I like.)
2. He likes sports such as soccer and basketball. (Soccer and basketball are specific sports that he likes.)
3. She studies subjects such as math and science. (Math and science are specific subjects that she studies.)

Another way to use “such as” is to introduce an example or representative of a group or a type. For example, you can say:

1. Some animals, such as elephants and whales, are very large. (Elephants and whales are examples of large animals.)
2. Some diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, are very serious. (Cancer and diabetes are examples of serious diseases.)

Sometimes, using “like” or “such as” can cause confusion or ambiguity in a sentence. For example, look at this sentence:

• I like animals like cats and dogs.

This sentence can have two meanings:

1. I like animals that are similar to cats and dogs. (Using “like” to compare.)
2. I like animals, for example, cats and dogs. (Using “like” to give an example.)

To avoid this confusion, you can use “such as” instead of “like” when you want to give a specific example or a list of examples. For example, you can say:

• I like animals such as cats and dogs.

This sentence only has one meaning:

• I like animals, for example, cats and dogs. (Using “such as” to give an example.)

The Difference Between “Like” vs “Such As”

At this point, you may notice the difference between like and such as.

Like is used to compare two things that are similar or have something in common or to give an example that is not specific or exact.

Such as is used to introduce a list of specific examples or items that belong to a category or to introduce an example that is representative of a group or a type.

From now on, don’t mix up the use of ‘like’ vs ‘such as’, okay? And, if you want to learn other things about the English language in a fun way, join us in Fun English Course!