Like and As

LIKE and AS

As and Like can be used in different structures to indicate Similarity:
• He is like his father in appearance and conduct.
• Do like this.
• She is a fine singer as her mother used to be.
• Do as I tell you.

Like is a preposition; it takes a Noun/Pronoun after it (Father, This)
As is a conjunction; it joins two clauses. (She is a fine singer as her mother used to be)

1. As can be used in the following ways:
• Rabi writes as his father did. (The way his father did)
• I like the freedom to spend my day as I want to.
• You need not paint the doors and windows again. Leave them as they are.
I’ll do as you suggest. (What you suggest.)
• They didn’t do as they had promised.
As you know, a new headmaster has joined our school. (You know this)
• As we expected, the party failed to get the majority to form the government.
• As I said, he lives on his brother’s income.

Such as; As usual:
Such as (For example)
• Animals such as cows, sheep and goats are mammals.
• Countries such as India, the USA and the UK are democracies.
• Foods such as milk, fish, meat and eggs contain protein.

Such as is followed by noun.

As Usual:
• I went to bed at ten yesterday as usual.
• The telephone box is broken as usual.
(It is no surprising because it happens often)
• The train is as usual late.
• As usual, my mother was right and I was wrong.


AS (Preposition) +Noun:
Compare
• Let me speak to you like a father. (I am not your father, but I am speaking in the way your father might)
• Let me speak to you as a father. (I am your father and I am speaking in that character.)
• He worked like a slave. (He worked very hard; but he was a free man not a slave)
• The man worked as a slave. (He really was a slave)
• I worked there as a teacher for several years.
• During elections public buildings are used as polling booths.
• Gandhiji is remembered in our country as the Father of the nation.

Read more...

As If

With verbs we usually use adverbs to describe the ‘action of the verb.
• He walks unsteadily.
• She shouted angrily.
We can also use a clause introduced by as if or as though.
• He walks as if he is drunk.
• She shouted as though she was angry.
• He opened his lips as if he wanted to say something.
• He fought as if his life was in danger.
• The young man talks as though he knew all about it.
• He behaves as if he owned the place.
• She ordered me about as though I were her servants.

Compare:
He walks as if / as though he is drunk. (He is drunk, judging from the way he walks.)
He walks as if/ as though he was drunk.
(But he isn’t drunk or probably isn’t drunk or we don’t know whether he drunk.)

Here the past tense after as if does not indicate past time; it indicates present unreality or doubt. In unreal comparison like this, were can be used in place of was.

With certain verbs we use adjective to describe the subject (not the action of the verb). These verbs include Look, Sound, Feel, Smell and Taste.

• He looks tired. (He seems tired by expression that it is right.)
• His explanation sounds right. (It gives the impression that it is right.)
• The ground feels rough.
• The flower smells sweet.
• The curry tastes hot.

We can also use an as if / as though clause:
• He looks as if he is going to be ill.
• You sound as though you are an insurance agent.
• I feel as if I’m going to faint.
• Her head felt as if it were / was splitting.
• He smelt as though he hadn’t washed for ages.
• The cake tastes as it is burnt.

We can also use the structure it look/ sounds. Etc+ as if/ as though…:
• It looks as if / though it’s going to be a fine day.
• It sounds to me as if there’s a tap running somewhere.
(I think I can hear water running from a tap)
* It smells as though fish is cooking in a neighbor’s kitchen.
* It does not look to me as if we shall get there in time.

Read more...

THAT LOVED FLOWER

Blossomed just now, to her content,

Aromatising the atmosphere, with her fragrance.

Entices all and sundry even the conceiver,

Whoever sees her, describes a perfect creation.

Smiles she effortlessly, that showers pearls, 
For one smile, bees of all hues gather.

Come the bees from every nook and corner,

Roam around her in search of holy nectar.

Come some with pearls of pen with no end,

Cherish some a desire to kiss her again and again,

Want some to embrace her not to release,

Pray some to pass their life sitting by the nymph.

Image by Swami Stream via Flickr

Some only pass amusing judgments,

Recite some famous Urdu couplets

Shy some to even sip her fragrance,

Quarrel some to pluck, among them.

No doubt, every one dreams her presence,

See her smiling on their personal flower vase.

And to sip her enticing fragrance,

In solitude and the world’s absence.

But she herself knows well,

Whom she loves and for whom smells.

Other bark only like stray dogs,

At the back of elephant’s trots.

Trots she fearlessly, cocking her fans

Only barking and poking nose, nothing happens.

Read more...