Like vs. as if

[Jesus1]

Hello! How are you?

1.- They fly like (the) bats.
2.- They fly as if they were bats.
3.- They look as if they were bats.
4.- They look like (the) bats.

My questions:

1.- I am trying to say their flight is like the bat?s one.
I thought of several possibilities, but I really hesitate
if all of them mean that thing. I am afraid 3 and 4 mean
they are like the bats but physically speaking.

By the way, Can I omit the definite article in
sentences one and four?

2.- In all sentences I used "like/as if". Like+ noun;
As if+ sentence. Can
I replace "Like" with "as if" and meaning the same
same thing?. It seemed to me quite strange the
use of a long way for saying something that
can really be short just using "like". But, well...

Thank you very much!

Jes?s

[Tom]

Dear Jesus

When you use plural form there is no need to use THE unless you are pointing at something. For example,

1- The cat is a cleanly animal (all cats in general) OR
2- Cats are cleanly animals.

1- The dog is a faithful animal. = Dogs are faithful animals.

Also,

1- Books are expensive. (all books in general)
2- The books are expensive. ( some particular books that
you may want to buy at a depot)

1- She does not like salt ( general)
2- Can you pass me the salt? ( you may say this sentence
at your dining table pointing at the salt there)

Now your sentences:

1- They fly like bats. (correct)
2- They fly as if/ as though they were bats.(correct)
3- They look like bats.(depends on the discussion that is
going on, whether they are dressed in black or hanging
from a tree or whatever... Look at the sentences below.

4- Look at the children performing on the stage. They really look like bats.

5- "So many crows in the sky!" "Crows!? They really look like bats to me."

I hope this helps a bit.
And wait for Amy, Conchita, Jamie, Alan or Mr. Micawber

Tom

[Yankee]

Hi Jes?s

Tom explained things pretty well, I think.

Answers to your questions:
Sentences 1+2 describe the way they fly.
Sentences 3+4 describe the appearance.

You must omit the definite article in sentences 1+4 unless you want to talk about some specific bats that you know (the ones living in your garage, for example. )

You cannot repalce "like" with "as if" unless you also change the structure of the sentence (as in sentences 2 + 3).

Amy
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, and native speaker of American English

[Jesus1]

Hi!. I understood everything you said. Thanks a million!

Jes?s