SC question from MGMAT Question Bank

[ankur2000]

Hi, just wanted to clarify the usage of 'like'. In the below question the answer explanation says, like is used for things and since creative activity is not a thing, its choice c vs. b.

Now would this sentence be correct?

"Mike's weight like Sam's is 150 lb"

If this sentence is correct then like would be comparing a non-thing (i.e. weight). Please explain!

Thanks
AB


Teachers in this country have generally been trained either to approach mathematics like a creative activity or that they should force students to memorize rules and principles without truly understanding how to apply them.



to approach mathematics like a creative activity or that they should force students to memorize rules and principles


to approach mathematics like a creative activity or to force students to memorize rules and principles


to approach mathematics as a creative activity or to force students to memorize rules and principles

that they should approach mathematics as a creative activity or to force students to memorize rules and principles

that they should approach mathematics like a creative activity or that they should force students to memorize rules and principles

[jnelson0612]

Hi, just wanted to clarify the usage of 'like'. In the below question the answer explanation says, like is used for things and since creative activity is not a thing, its choice c vs. b.

Now would this sentence be correct?

"Mike's weight like Sam's is 150 lb"

If this sentence is correct then like would be comparing a non-thing (i.e. weight). Please explain!

Thanks
AB


Teachers in this country have generally been trained either to approach mathematics like a creative activity or that they should force students to memorize rules and principles without truly understanding how to apply them.



to approach mathematics like a creative activity or that they should force students to memorize rules and principles


to approach mathematics like a creative activity or to force students to memorize rules and principles


to approach mathematics as a creative activity or to force students to memorize rules and principles

that they should approach mathematics as a creative activity or to force students to memorize rules and principles

that they should approach mathematics like a creative activity or that they should force students to memorize rules and principles

Hi,
Actually, the answer doesn't say anything about "things" vs. "non-things". Did you read that elsewhere? This is what the answer says about "like" vs. "as":
Moreover, the use of "like" in the phrase "to approach mathematics like a creative activity" is incorrect. "Like" is used to compare the similarities between things, while "as" is used in comparisons that show equality. In this case, mathematics is a creative activity; thus, "as" is necessary.

Your sentence about Mike and Sam's weight is correct from a comparison perspective but would benefit from a little reorganization or punctuation. I could say:

Like Sam's weight, Mike's weight is 150 pounds.
OR
Mike's weight, like Sam's, is 150 pounds.