Like
I'm sure you all have heard 'like' a lot, but are you familiar with all its functions? We'll learn all about it in this lesson.
'Like' is pretty common in the English language. It can be a verb, an adverb, a preposition, a conjunction, and a noun. In this lesson, we will discuss how to learn and use it.
Functions of 'Like'
'Like' as a Verb
One of the main functions of 'like' is to be a verbs. Below, we are going to analyze all its uses and meanings:
'Like' as the Main Verb
'Like' can be the main verb in the sentence. It is a transitive verb and it always needs an object. Look below for more clarification:
- When we approve of something, we use 'like' to discuss it:
Jenny
Here, it shows that this person enjoys doing something.
Hannah and I
- When we like someone on a social media platform, we enjoy what they have posted:
Some of us want that specific person to
All my friends have
- When we want to make a request politely, we use it:
I'd
The girl said that she
Position in a Sentence
Since 'like' is the main verb here, it mainly comes after the subject. Remember to always have the direct object after it. It can be a nouns, a noun phrase, an infinitive, etc. Look:
Not all girls
That child
'Like' as a Preposition
As stated above, 'like' can also be a preposition. Below, we are going to analyze the different prepositions it can be:
'Like' as a Preposition of Manner
'Like' is a preposition of manner. It can be used with verbs like 'taste', 'feel', 'seem', 'be', etc. It is used when we want to show similarity. Look below:
His car looks
This cake tastes
Position in a Sentence
Since 'like' is a preposition here, it mainly comes after verbs like 'taste', 'feel', 'smell', 'be', etc., and before a noun or a noun phrase. Look below:
No Pasta tastes
That book looks
'Like' as a Conjunction
'Like' can also be a conjunction. Below, we are going to learn about the different kinds of conjunctions it can be:
Use
'Like' as a Subordinating Conjunction
'Like' can be used to connect a subordinate clause to an independent one. So, we call it a subordinating conjunction. It means 'as'. Look below for more clarification:
'Like' as an Adverb
'Like' can also be an adverbs. Below, we are going to see the different kinds of adverbs it can be:
Use
'Like' as an Adverb of Manner
'Like' can also be an adverb of manner. Below, we are going to analyze all its meanings and uses. Look:
- When we want to show how we feel, we use 'like'. Note that we use it only in informal spoken English:
When she said that, I was
My cat fell off the window and at first I was
- Again in spoken English, when we want to pause or emphasize what we are saying, we use 'like':
I mean, like, still being with him doesn't really sound like a good idea to me.
Anna is,
Position in a Sentence
Since 'like' is an adverbs here, it mainly comes before the thing we want to emphasize or before the feeling we want to talk about. It mainly comes between two commas. Look:
I mean,
Those animals,
'Like' as a Noun
'Like' can also be used as a nouns. Look below for more clarification:
Use
- When we want to show similar things to a thing or person, we use 'like':
Rock, grunge rock, punk rock and the
The
Position in a Sentence
Since 'like' is a nouns, we can use it as the subject, as object, or as the object of preposition. Below, you can see examples:
The
Marianne and the
Idioms and Expressions with 'Like'
We have some idioms with 'like'. Below, we are going to learn all about them:
- More like: When we want to show that something looks more appropriate than another:
It looks
To me it looks
- More like it: When we want to show that something is better, we use this one. Please note that this one is used informally:
Now, this is
- What is someone like: When we want to show that we have done something foolish, we use it: