like you

[navi tasan]

1) I don't play football like you.
2) I don't play football as you do.
3) I don't play football, as you do.

Can't these have two meanings:
a) I don't play football in the same way you do.
b) Unlike you, I don't play football.

Gratefully,
Navi.

 

[Tarheel]

The first two have the same meaning as a). The third one has the same meaning as b).

 

[Tdol]

In speech, it might be hard to tell whether the first meant a) or b).

 

[Tarheel]

If I just don't play the game I won't add "like you". Aren't most people the same way?

 

[Tdol]

I might put like you at the start, but I wouldn't say I'd drop it completely.

 

[navi tasan]

Thank you both very much,

How about this one:

4) I don't play football, like you.

Does that mean:
a) You don't play football and neither do I.
or:
b) Unlike you, I don't play football.

Gratefully,
Navi.

 

[Tarheel]

That one is pretty unnatural. As Tdol suggested, you could say:

Like you, I don't play football.

 

[Tdol]

However natural, I would take it to mean 4a).

 

[GoesStation]

Thank you both very much,

How about this one:

4) I don't play football, like you.

Does that mean:
a) You don't play football and neither do I.
or:
b) Unlike you, I don't play football.

Gratefully,
Navi.

To me, it means the person has framed the statement poorly.

 

[Barb_D]

I agree. These differences are so subtle that your meaning might be mistaken.

I know you play football, but I don't.
Like you, I don't play football.
Unlike you, I don't play football.