I am still learning this too.

First I thought I learned this semi correct thing, that like is used to compare two things and as is used to compare two actions.

Maybe that is not exactly right, but it gets one started in the right direction.

For instance, you might say, Jim's dog is like Ken's. They both have long fur.

I guess it's pretty clear you would not say Jim's dog is as Ken's.

So in this comparison of two things, like is definitely the way to go.

So what is as used for?

Well one thing I read, I did an online search, is that as is used similarly to how one uses the way.

So in your sample sentence one could put it Law students learn to think the way a lawyer does.

It's not comparing anything really now that I consider it. It's saying that they learn to think the way a lawyer does.

So we say Law students learn to think as a lawyer does.

So in that case, using as is sure thing.

Here's another one.

Jim runs like Henry. We wouldn't say Jim runs the way Henry. So like is good here, for sure.

We would say Jim runs the way Henry does. So we would also say Jim runs as Henry does.

One good explanation for all this is that like is used similarly to how a preposition is used and as is more of a conjunction.

So as connects two subject verb clauses. For instance in He fights as a wildcat fights. the as connects He fights and a wildcat fights.

In your original example as connects Law students learn to lawyer does.

If you ask me, it's all a little weird, and the reasoning behind the choices is not that clear. For instance, does it really make sense to say Jim runs like Henry? It sounds to me as if one is comparing runs to Henry. So while Jim runs like Henry is supposedly acceptable I personally don't like it that much, and maybe on the GMAT you have a choice between Jim runs like Henry and Jim runs as Henry does the latter would be the credited answer. That just a guess though. I could be wrong on that.

Still, I pretty much get it at this point, and maybe now you do to.

For more on this there is a good explanation with a quick reference list here, https://alt-usage-english.org/excerpts/fxlikevs.html, and I am sure by doing a search on these forums you can find even more.

Hi Marty

Thanks for the helpful reply and the link. At this point in time I agree with your thoughts below. Through my research this is what I've come up with as some good rules to follow re Like Vs As on the gmat. Let me know if you have anything to add.

LIKE can be used to modify a noun or verb and is only followed by nouns or pronouns. AS can be either a conjunction or a preposition.

LIKE indicates similarity while AS would indicate an actual ability to function as...

Do not use to introduce examples (instead such SUCH AS).


--Melanie

Nice.

I find this particularly useful.

melanie.espeland wrote:LIKE indicates similarity while AS would indicate an actual ability to function as...

I've nothing else to add at this point.

OK cool

LIKE + SUBJECT + VERB is always WRONG.
Law students learn to think like a lawyer does.
Here, since the modifier in red is composed of like + subject + verb, the sentence is incorrect.

For an official SC that tests this issue, check here:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/og-10-sc-t278863.html

Thanks!

Hey Marty - thanks for the explanation above. Very helpful.