Cool MateAs vs Equally vs Like
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
As
Top 1,000 (very common)A1preposition
Equally
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Like
High-frequency chunkA1preposition
| As | Equally | Like | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əz//æz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əz//æz/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈiːkwəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈiːkwəli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/laɪk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/laɪk/"]/ |
| Meaning | in the same way or manner | In the same way or to the same degree. | to enjoy or be pleased by something |
| Example | They were all dressed as clowns. | Diet and exercise are **equally important**. | I like chocolate ice cream. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | High-frequency chunk |
| CEFR level | A1 | B1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | preposition | adverb | preposition |
| Collocations | as fast as, as good as, as long as | equally important, equally shared, equally capable, equally beneficial | like to eat, like a friend, like doing, like music, like the weather |
| Antonyms | unlike, dissimilar | unequally, disparately | dislike, hate, detest |
| Common mistakes | 'As' vs 'like': Confusing when to use in comparisons., Incorrect placement in complex sentences., Using 'as' with a noun without a proper structure. | Confused with 'equal' — use 'equally' only as an adverb., Using 'equally' to compare more than two things where 'as' might be better., Misplacing it in a sentence, making the comparison unclear. | Omitting the object, e.g. 'I like' instead of 'I like pizza'., Using 'like' in place of 'such as' when giving examples., Confusing 'like' with 'as' in comparative sentences. |
| Usage notes | Used for comparisons or to indicate a role. It's appropriate in formal and informal contexts. Avoid using 'as' in place of 'like' in informal speech. | Use 'equally' when comparing two or more things that are similar in some aspect. Avoid in very formal writing. | Used to express enjoyment or preference. Can be informal in casual conversations, but it's also suitable for formal situations. Avoid using in very formal writing or speeches. |
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Frequently asked questions: As vs Equally vs Like
What's the difference between As, Equally, and Like?
As: in the same way or manner Equally: In the same way or to the same degree. Like: to enjoy or be pleased by something
Which is more advanced: As, Equally, and Like?
Equally is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are As, Equally, and Like the same CEFR level?
As: A1, Equally: B1, Like: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are As, Equally, and Like?
As: preposition, Equally: adverb, Like: preposition.
Can you show an example of each?
As: They were all dressed as clowns. Equally: Diet and exercise are **equally important**. Like: I like chocolate ice cream.
Can I use As, Equally, and Like interchangeably?
Not always. As, Equally, and Like are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.