Please double-click on the English subtitles below to play the video.
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Hi! I'm Tim from BBC Learning English,
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here to tell you about two words we use to say
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that things are similar.
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We use 'like' as a preposition
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before a noun or pronoun, and it means 'similar to'.
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He ran like the wind.
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Not: He ran as the wind.
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We use 'like', and not 'as', to compare appearances.
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This house looks like a castle.
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'As' can be used as a preposition.
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It means 'in the role of'.
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Dan,
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as your friend I have to say you're not a good singer.
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We often use 'as' to talk about people's jobs.
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I work as an actor.
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Be careful using 'like' and 'as'
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because the meaning can change:
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'As your brother, I'll try to help you'
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means 'I actually am your brother'.
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Change it to 'like', and it means
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'I'm not your brother but I want to act in a similar way'.
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