Like vs As

like = similar to; as = in the role of.

Examples

• He swims like a fish.
• She works as a nurse.

Key rules

• Like (preposition) means similar to: He swims like a fish
• As means in the role or job of: She works as a nurse
• As can also mean in the same way that: Do as I say
• Like is used for examples and comparison

Common mistakes

• She works like a nurse → She works as a nurse
• As a fish he swims → He swims like a fish