Like vs. Such as: Is there a difference?

Key takeaways:

  • "Like" compares similar things or examples without being exhaustive.

  • "Such as" introduces specific examples that are part of a group.

  • Use "like" for general comparisons: "He runs like a professional athlete."

  • Use "such as" to list examples: "Fruits such as apples and oranges are healthy."

  • Context determines the choice: "like" suggests similarity, while "such as" gives actual examples.

Part of the series Grammar Debugged—English for Devs

English can sometimes be tricky, especially when it comes to words or phrases that seem interchangeable but actually have distinct meanings. A common source of confusion is the difference between "like" and "such as." While both are used to connect ideas or provide context, they serve different purposes in writing. Let’s break down these differences and explore when to use each.

Difference between "such as" and "like"
Difference between "such as" and "like"

When to use "like"

"Like" is a prepositionA preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other parts of the sentence, often indicating direction, place, time, or manner. used to draw comparisons between similar things or to show resemblance. It suggests that something is similar to another without being exactly the same.

Examples:

  • "She sings like a professional musician."
    (Comparison: She isn’t a professional musician, but she has a similar talent.)

  • "He runs like the wind."
    (Comparison: He runs fast, similar to how the wind moves.)

Pro tip: Use "like" when the goal is to compare qualities or behaviors, not provide specific examples.

When to use "such as"

"Such as" introduces specific examples that are part of a larger group or category. It implies that the examples given are part of the same set.

Examples:

  • "I enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing."
    (Specific examples: Hiking, camping, and fishing are part of outdoor activities.)

  • "Languages such as Python and JavaScript are popular in web development."
    (Specific examples of programming languages in web development.)

Pro tip: Use "such as" when listing concrete examples to clarify your point.

The difference between "such as" and "like"

Use "such as" for precise examples and "like" for comparisons or general similarities.

"Such as" vs. "like"

Criteria

Like

Such as

Purpose

To compare or suggest similarity.

To give specific examples.

Specificity

General; not part of the group being discussed.

Specific examples from the group.

Example Sentence

"He dances like a pro."

"He enjoys dance styles such as salsa and jazz."

Quick test

Fill in the blanks with "like" or "such as":

  1. She enjoys sports ___ tennis and basketball.

  1. He behaves ___ his older brother.

  1. Programming languages ___ Python are useful for data science.

  1. The dessert tastes ___ heaven.

Common mistakes

Using “like” when “such as” is appropriate:

  • Incorrect: “I love drinks like tea and coffee.” (This implies similarity but not examples.)

  • Correct: “I love drinks such as tea and coffee.” (This gives examples of drinks.)

Using “such as” when “like” is more appropriate:

  • Incorrect: “He runs such as a professional athlete.”

  • Correct: “He runs like a professional athlete.”

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between "like" and "such as" comes down to how specific or general your sentence needs to be.

  • Use "like" for comparisons.

  • Use "such as" for specific examples.

Test your understanding: like vs. such as

Match the examples that demonstrate the difference between "like" and "such as":

Match The Answer
Select an option from the left-hand side

Animals _____ lions and tigers are found in the wild.

like

She dances _____ a professional ballerina.

such as

Drinks _____ tea and coffee are popular worldwide.

He sings _____ a rockstar on stage.

Outdoor activities _____ hiking and kayaking are great for fitness.

She solved the puzzle _____ a genius.

Ingredients _____ flour and sugar are essential for baking.

He talks _____ he knows everything about cars.

Master the nuances of grammar and elevate your writing skills with this comprehensive course: Grokking the Technical Writing Process.

Frequently asked questions

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What’s the difference between like and such as?

“Like” indicates similarity or comparison, while “such as” introduces specific examples.

How do you use like in a sentence?

Use “like” to compare, e.g., “He runs like a professional athlete.”

How do you use such as in a sentence?

Use “such as” to give examples, e.g., “I enjoy fruits such as apples and oranges.”

When should you use a comma before like and such as?

Use a comma when “like” or “such as” introduces non-essential (nonrestrictive) information, e.g., “Some fruits, such as bananas, are soft.” Note that the core sentence still makes sense without “such as bananas”. Comma would not be used if the information was essential (restrictive), e.g., “Fruits such as bananas are soft.” Note that the core sentence doesn’t make sense without “such as bananas”.

Is there a difference between like and as?

Yes, “like” shows similarity, while “as” indicates a role or function, e.g., “She works as a teacher.”

What can I use instead of like or such as?

Alternatives include “for example,” “for instance,” or “similar to,” depending on the context.

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