as or like????

[ripley]

Hello,
The choice between "as" and "like" to make comparisons is not always very simple for me.

Is is correct to say:
I feel like I was flying or should I say I feel as I was flying or I feel as if I was flying

I' d like to say that I had the feeling I was flying

Beatles say : free as a bird. Does it not imply that you are actually a bird; shouldn't they say: free like a bird (in the same way as a bird?)

Thanks Ripley

 

[Casiopea]

Hello,
The choice between "as" and "like" to make comparisons is not always very simple for me.

Is is correct to say:
I feel like I was flying or should I say I feel as I was flying or I feel as if I was flying

I' d like to say that I had the feeling I was flying

Beatles say : free as a bird. Does it not imply that you are actually a bird; shouldn't they say: free like a bird (in the same way as a bird?)

Thanks Ripley

Informally, yes, but formally, no. It's best to use as if or as though instead of like. Here's a test: if there is a verb after like, replace like with as if or as though :

She looks like my mom. (Noun)
It feels like powder. (Noun)

She looks like she is tired. (There's a verb after like)
She looks as if she is tired. (OK)
She looks as though she is tired. (OK)

She feels like flying. (Noun. 'flying' is a thing, a gerund)

Note that, The above sentence means, She wants to do something; she wants to go flying) (OK)

She feels like she is flying. (There's a verb: 'is flying')
She feels as if she is flying. (OK)

Comparative as...as
I am as free as a bird.
Our apartment is as small as a birdhouse.

Notice the comparative structure as...as has two elements. That is, as...as is a set pair, but the first as is often omitted, like this,

I am free as a bird.

All the best,

 

[Tomasz Klimkiewicz]

Casiopea,

I am referring to your examples using 'as if' and 'as though'.
By no means is it my intention to question your judgement, but don't you think they are followed by the so-called unreal past when used to describe a present situation and Past Pefect for past situations? In my book, the resepctive statements would look as follows:

She looks as if she were tired. (Present)
She looks as if she'd been through something horrible. (Past)

Regards, Tomasz.

 

[Tomasz Klimkiewicz]

(Redundant post deleted by its author)

 

[Tomasz Klimkiewicz]

(Redundant post deleted by its author)

 

[Tomasz Klimkiewicz]

Goodness me! Why do my posts get multiplied!!!
Terribly sorry if it's me to blame. That's not intentional, to be sure.

 

[Francois]

I would not make any transfer on my web bank if I were you.

FRC

 

[Tomasz Klimkiewicz]

I would not make any transfer on my web bank if I were you.

FRC

Actually, I should. But not a withdrawal, a deposit, perhaps. Then let it multiply a thousand times.

Now, seriously. I've noticed that when I choose the QuickReply option and click on the SUBMIT button, then return to the thread, my post is already doubled. Not much I can do for the time being. I just feel so stupid...

Let's see what happens after this reply.