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Have you ever been in a situation where you are confused about whether to use ‘such as’ or ‘like’ to mean ‘for example’? We’ve all been there, so don’t panic. The salient question is: which is appropriate?

Writers have tried to break these similar words down for easy identification, but it seems the more they try, the less simplified the words become. So, let’s just simplify them once and for all.

‘Such as’ is used to introduce a direct example or series of examples, and it is more formal. ‘Like’ is also used for example(s), but it’s less formal, and not specific. A bit confusing? This is what I mean: ‘such as’ simply means ‘exactly this/these’, while ‘like’ means ‘similar to this/these’.

Let’s use these examples to simplify our explanation:

1. I want a lot of grains like rice, barley, and millet.
2. I want a lot of grains, such as rice, barley, and millet.
3. They intend travelling to peaceful countries like France and Canada.
4. They intend travelling to peaceful countries, such as France and Canada.

Example 1 implies that the speaker wants grains, but not necessarily rice, barley, and millet—or even none of them, but others in their category; 2 simply gives the exact grains the speaker wants, and maybe some others. In the same vein, 3 shows similar peaceful countries they intend to go, while 4 shows they intend to go to France and Canada, and maybe other peaceful countries.

However, ‘such as’ and ‘like’ can be used interchangeably.

Examples:

1. Contemporary footballers like Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are agile and skillful.
2.Contemporary footballers, such as Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, are agile and skillful.
3. A muscular wrestler like Brock Lesnar should win all his fights.
4. A muscular wrestler such as Brock Lesnar should win all his fights.

Examples 1 and 3 show similarities, while 2 and 4 are emphases.

Note: use commas before ‘such as’ and after the last item on the list of examples(as in 2 above).

This is the point: both ‘such as’ and ‘like’ can be used to give examples and are both appropriate (though the former is more formal), but don’t use ‘like’ when you want to be specific or ‘such as’ when you’re expressing comparisons or similarities.

A sick President *such as* Buhari should resign

Educative.

I nor know

I be ur mate? Or we be mate?
Which is appropriate?

English is not my mother tongue.

.

Good one thanks

Thanks for enlightening us. Before, na anyone Wey first enter my mouth I dey use.

First come, first serve. No time

Ok

Nice one

sleeknick:
I nor know

I be ur mate? Or we be mate?
Which is appropriate?

Bros all of the above, na language of liberty as he sweet u

Nice one


Do not keep "Good friends" , you can find out the reason when you read articles such as this: http://talkeverytime..nl/2017/02/beware-of-good-friends.html

English is an ambiguous language, it started like pigin /broken we speak to day.Is a confused language even the owner can testify...

Hmmn. Do not ever use 'like' in a formal or official document. If you must use 'like' use 'similar' instead.

This is educative, respect @op

Good to know I need to put comma somewhere. Quite educative.

Use them where it is appropriate... not the when it suits you...

She is missing, please help US share to all your contacts, 08054804152, 08032003256, 07032056175.

thank u, op

Good observation, 'such as' sounds outdated but is also more formal.
I think its because like is used in many other things.

waleco2008:
She is missing, please help US share to all your contacts, 08054804152, 08032003256, 07032056175.

this is really sad

Desdola:
English is not my mother tongue.

You better learn it or make sure your children know it very well. It's the only language that can put food on the table without much stress. In the nearest future it will entirely take over as the language of academia and business.

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Damilare5882:
A sick President *such as* Buhari should resign

some poeple are sick like this person that mention buhari[color=#006600][/color]

.

Desdola:
English is not my mother tongue.

but if it was to toast a bae naw.....u will activate ur grammer effluent.....

Tyranny of a received paradigm

Nice writeup.