as vs like - in comparisons

[clawhammer]

I was thinking, whenever possible, not to choose "like" for comparisons. But can you please explain this:

[niksworth]

Note two things about usage of like -
1. It is generally used to compare nouns
2. It means similar to

Now substitute like with similar to in the given sentence.
1. ...children process information through multiple sensory channels, like a multitude of rivers flowing into the ocean.
2. ...children process information through multiple sensory channels, similar to a multitude of rivers flowing into the ocean.

See how this makes perfect sense? That is why the use of like is right here.

As is used to describe the purpose or quality of someone or something. We can substitute as with in the form of and see if it makes sense.
1. ...children process information through multiple sensory channels, as a multitude of rivers flowing into the ocean.
2. ...children process information through multiple sensory channels, in the form of a multitude of rivers flowing into the ocean.

This is clearly wrong. Thus as cannot be used here because the comparison is similar to and not in the form of

[Gurpinder]

Use as for examples
Use like to state similarity

In this sentence, it should be like

[uwhusky]

To clarify, you meant "such as".

[Gurpinder]

To clarify, you meant "such as".

Yea.

[lokesh r]

Use 'as' for comparing actions.

Use 'like' for comparing nouns.

eg. Tom, like john is tall.

[Gurpinder]

eg. Tom, like john is tall.

It should be:

Tom, like John, is tall.

[uwhusky]

As John talled you, Tom talled me. =)

[Gurpinder]

As John talled you, Tom talled me. =)

????

Im lost husky!

[uwhusky]

I was joking around...ignore me.

[Gurpinder]

I was joking around...ignore me.

haha... ok ....tooo tired man