I can't run fast like Tom./I can't run as fast as Tom.

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tzfujimino

Key Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2007
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English Teacher
Native Language
Japanese
Home Country
Japan
Current Location
Japan
Hello.:)

One of my students translated a Japanese sentence into English:

I can't run fast like Tom.

The suggested answer is I can't run as/so fast as Tom.

Is I can't run fast like Tom acceptable?

Thank you.
 
I deem it acceptable, as I would say 'I can't speak fluently like a native speaker', but I am not a teacher.
 
Note that the speaker is saying that he does not run "fast," but Tom does.

The other sentence ("as fast as") is about degree of "fast."
 
Just to add to Dave's point, saying "I can't run as fast as Tom" doesn't mean that Tom is fast, only that you are slower. The other sentence does mean that Tom is fast.
Similarly in, "I'm not as tall as Tom", we could still both be midgets.
"I'm not as old as Mary" could be spoken by, and about, a child.
 
Is I can't run fast like Tom acceptable?

It is a correct sentence, but whether it means what the original sentence said or not is a different question.
 
It is a correct sentence, but whether it means what the original sentence said or not is a different question.

I've come to the conclusion that the suggested answer is correct.
Thank you, Tdol and everyone.
:)
 
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