Page 1 of 2 www.englishpractice.com – Learn and practice English online. Common Errors in the Use of Conjunctions As and Like As is a conjunction. It is used to connect two clauses or words of the same grammatical class. Like is a preposition. It is used to show the relationship between a noun/pronoun and some other word in the sentence. Note that like is used before a noun or pronoun. She looks like her mother. He fought like a tiger. Like his father, he is a doctor. He did as he was told. BUT NOT He did like he was told. (Here the conjunction as joins the clauses ?He did' and ?he was told'.) He fought as a tiger does. BUT NOT He fought like a tiger does. (Here the conjunction as joins the clauses ?he fought' and ?a tiger does'.) Notes: In informal English like is often used as a conjunction instead of as. This is very common in American English. So sentences like ?He fought like a tiger does' are common in colloquial English. As and though As can be used in the sense of though, but they are used in different structures. Though he was young, he fought bravely. Young as he was, he fought bravely. Though he is poor, he is happy. Poor as he is, he is happy. As if and as though As if and as though are now more or less used synonymously. It looks as if it might rain. OR It looks as though it might rain. I felt as if I was dying. OR I felt as though I was dying. Like cannot be used instead of as if/as though. It is wrong to say ?I felt like I was dying'. www.englishpractice.com – Learn and practice English online. Page 2 of 2 Notes: In informal English like is often used instead of as if and as though. This is very common in American English. So as and such as So as indicates purpose; such as indicates result. We started early so as to get a good seat. His actions were such as to offend everyone. Than Than is a subordinating conjunction. The noun or pronoun following than should be in the same case as the noun or pronoun preceding it. She is taller than he is. You are younger than she is. Note that in informal English, object pronouns (him, her, them etc.) are used after than. So sentences like ?She is taller than him' and ?You are younger than her' are common in informal speech and writing. Unless and if Unless itself means if not. You don't have to use another not in clauses with unless. Unless you start early, you will miss the train. OR If you don't start early, you will miss the train. (NOT Unless you don't start early, you will miss the train.) . English. As and though As can be used in the sense of though, but they are used in different structures. Though he was young, he fought bravely. Young as he was, he fought bravely. Though he is