Cool MateAs vs Like vs Similarly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
As
Top 1,000 (very common)A1preposition
Like
High-frequency chunkA1preposition
Similarly
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
| As | Like | Similarly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əz//æz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əz//æz/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/laɪk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/laɪk/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪmələli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪmələrli/"]/ |
| Meaning | in the same way or manner | to enjoy or be pleased by something | In the same way or manner. |
| Example | They were all dressed as clowns. | I like chocolate ice cream. | It is a little cheaper than other similarly sized cars. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | High-frequency chunk | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | preposition | preposition | adverb |
| Collocations | as fast as, as good as, as long as | like to eat, like a friend, like doing, like music, like the weather | similarly structured, similarly situated, similarly motivated |
| Antonyms | unlike, dissimilar | dislike, hate, detest | differently, unlike |
| 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. | 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. | 'Similarly' is sometimes incorrectly used to start a sentence without a clear comparison., Learners may confuse 'similarly' with 'simile', confusing comparative language with figurative language., Overusing 'similarly' in a paragraph can lead to redundancy. |
| 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. | 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. | Use 'similarly' to compare two ideas or situations. It is best used in analytical or formal writing. Avoid in casual conversation where simpler phrases like 'also' might fit better. |
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Frequently asked questions: As vs Like vs Similarly
What's the difference between As, Like, and Similarly?
As: in the same way or manner Like: to enjoy or be pleased by something Similarly: In the same way or manner.
Which is more advanced: As, Like, and Similarly?
Similarly is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are As, Like, and Similarly the same CEFR level?
As: A1, Like: A1, Similarly: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are As, Like, and Similarly?
As: preposition, Like: preposition, Similarly: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
As: They were all dressed as clowns. Like: I like chocolate ice cream. Similarly: It is a little cheaper than other similarly sized cars.
Can I use As, Like, and Similarly interchangeably?
Not always. As, Like, and Similarly 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.