"Like" Vs "As"

[vijaykumar.kondepudi]

Hi,
Firstly, I wanted to post this under the thread:
og-review-10th-sc-73-t1595.html

But, when I try, receive a message "Forum Locked" and therefore this new thread.

The question on MGMAT was:

Based on recent box office receipts, the public's appetite for documentary films, like nonfiction books, seems to be on the rise.
A. like nonfiction books
B. as nonfiction books
C. as its interest in nonfiction books
D. like their interest in nonfiction books
E. like its interest in nonfiction books

The OA is E.

As per Manhattan SC guide, "Like" is a preposition (Appearing with a noun) on the other hand, "As" is a preposition or a conjunction (Appearing with a clause).

This means that "As" could virtually be used in all places where "Like" can be used. Am I correct?

Then why in the above example, choice C is incorrect?
Could you please give examples and explain the line:
"Never put a clause or a prepositional phrase after like !"

Thanks in advance.

[vijaykumar.kondepudi]

Hi Manhattan Staff,
Could some clarify the above post.
Thanks a lot.

[RonPurewal]

you are correct that "as" can be used as a preposition, but that usage is not applicable to COMPARISONS.
when "as" is used as a preposition, its meaning is, basically, "in the manner of" or "in the capacity/function of".

for instance,
my nephew was dressed as a monster --> he was dressed in a manner of a monster (this is not a comparison).


there are generally only two ways in which "as" is acceptable in comparisons:
1) followed by a clause (as you have indicated)
2) in the construction "as ___ as X", where the blank is usually filled by an adjective.

choice (c) is not either of these options -- it's an incorrect attempt to use "as" as a preposition.

[rockrock]

Why is the first option incorrect, "like nonfiction books"?

[phoenix.rkchr]

Why is the first option incorrect, "like nonfiction books"?

The comparision between "public's appetite" and "nonfiction books" is illogical.

We need to compare the "public's appetite" with "public's interest in nonfiction books".

Hope it will help.

[tim]

Thanks for the explanation, phoenix..