SC Misconception #2 – Like cannot be used to offer examples

This article is a part of a series of articles on SC Misconceptions. In this series, I’m going to address many misconceptions prevalent among GMAT aspirants.

The misconception addressed in this post is:

Like cannot be used to offer examples

One 4-year old official explanation (VR 2017 Q267) clearly states, “while there has been some dispute over the use of like to mean for example, this is an acceptable use”.

An official SC question from OG 2017 uses “like” to offer examples:

Especially in the early years, new entrepreneurs may need to find resourceful ways, like renting temporary office space or using answering services…

Here’s the link to the detailed solution to the above question.

On top of that, ALL the top four dictionaries (Cambridge, Collins, Merriam Webster, and Macmillan) very clearly state that “like” can be used to offer examples. Here are the links:

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/like

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/like

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/like

https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/like_1

To still believe that “like” cannot be used to offer examples in GMAT SC is, I believe, to remain stuck in the past while the world has moved on. Now, some may say, “still, such as is preferred over like”. I disagree. This may have been the case 5 years ago. Not anymore. If an official explanation, an official SC question, and all four top dictionaries are not enough to convince us, it’s us who are stuck.