Like vs As

[Shib]

Source: 1000 SC

[deleted because problem is from a banned source - see below]

The popular answer choice is E.However I feel A is the right answer since we are comparing goals(noun) and not "owning and living" (actions), and therefore like should be used.Can you please explain.Also is there any easier wa to find out where to use "like" and where to use "as"?

[dbernst]

Shib,

like v. as is an extremely confusing grammatical distinction; fortunately, the GMAT only scratches the surface of this complex topic. You seem aware of the general rule that "like" is used to compare nouns, while "as" is used to
compare clauses (subject plus verb). Moreover, "like" is normally used to two compare similar but not indetical nouns. In contrast, "as" is used to depict identical phenomenon. For example:

Dan acted like a clown
-My behaviors were similar to those of a clown

Dan acted as a clown
-I actually played the part of a clown

In the example at hand, owning and living in a freestanding house (clause with verb) is a goal, as owning and living in a freestanding house (clause with verb) was a goal of earlier generations. To correctly use "like," the sentence would have to directly compare nouns. A proper rewrite of this type might appear similar to the following:

The current generation, like earlier generations, desires to own and live in a freestanding house.

Hope that makes sense
-dan

[abhiush]

If Option B is changed as below, which one will be better E or B

From : (B) as that for earlier generations

TO : (B) as that of earlier generations

(E) as it was of earlier generations

[tim]

This is not an SC1000 question; it is OG number 82. OG is a banned source; it is illegal to post OG questions anywhere on the web. If you are in one of our classes, please ask OG questions during office hours or before/after class..

As for the final question, it's usually not a good idea to ask what would happen if the answer choices were changed, because often the wrong answer choices are written with several mistakes, some of which are more subtle than others. To avoid confusion it's usually better to take an answer choice as it is and not ask hypotheticals about it..