Like Vs. As

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Like Vs. As

by Sprite_TM » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:14 pm
I thought I got this concept at first but now I am really confused.

What is the difference between the two like in this sentence.

Artificial intelligence emerged during the late 1950's as an academic discipline based on the assumption that computers are able to be programmed to think like people.

a) are able to be programmed to think like people
b) can be programmed to think as people can
c) could be programmed to think like people

why isn't the answer b)? can be programmed to think as people can

and why do we use "as" in the sentence where it says "Artificial intelligence emerged
during the late 1950's as an academic discipline... "

or this sentence

An artistic presence of the first order, one frequently ranked with Picasso, Stravinsky, and James Joyce, Martha Graham was acclaimed as a great dancer long before her innovative masterworks made her the most honored of American choregraphers.

I thought "as" requires a verb
Source: — Sentence Correction |

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by krisraam » Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:26 pm
Like is used when comparing nouns. As is used to compare two clauses.

Like is preferred here as "computers" are compared with "people"

Thanks
raama

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by kris_hansy » Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:00 am
I think, the "as" here means in the "form" or "state" of, e.g. in the form of a discipline.
Will you say ice remains "like" liquid at 40 degrees? Or will you rather use "as"? Is ice like liquid? No. Is ice's current state liquid? Yes.

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