In a sentence such as; What is the weather like?
What is the function of the word like?
I understand the various functions of this word in other contexts and want to know if it is being used as a comparison word (as it usually is) except the comparison is only made when the answer is given.
e.g What is the weather like. Answer = It is sunny .
weather = sunny.
Some websites are saying it's being used as a preposition. However, I can't see this.
I appreciate your interest thanks.
CarewWhat is the function of the word like?
... Some websites are saying it's being used as a preposition. However, I can't see this.
Maybe this will help.
What is the weather like? = Like what is the weather? = The weather is like what?
'like' is a preposition. 'what' is the object of the preposition.
Compare:
What is the weather like?
What is this knife for?
Who is that man with?
CJ
like = similar to
"Like" is used this was in many situations asking about conditions, characteristics and similarities based on a personal experience or observation.
What is your new teacher like?
He is a lot like the old teacher, but younger.
What is the food in Mexico like?
It is spicy, like Indian cuisine.
What is her house like?
It is like what I imagine my dream house to be.
Students: We have free audio pronunciation exercises.
Comments
Thank you. That answers my question very nicely.