As you are vs like that

English nerd

English nerd

Senior Member
Hindi
My sister is going somewhere and my dad going going to drop her off there. But he's still in his pajamas,so he's going to get changed. But she says:

You're going to stay in the car,so just come as you are.
Or
You're going to stay in the car,so just come like that.
So what should be used "as you are" or "like that"? I guess the first option sounds better.

And if I say that I'll use "as he is" or "like that"
He'll stay in the car, so he should come as he is.
Or
He'll stay in the car, so he should come like that.
 
    • English nerd said:
    You're going to stay in the car,so just come as you are.
    Or
    You're going to stay in the car,so just come like that.
    Click to expand...
    I find only the first natural. You could perhaps use the second if you changed the structure a bit. You can come like that if you like. You aren't going to get out of the car.
    "Come like this" is more likely to be used the by the person himself, in my opinion. Can I come like this or should I change?
    English nerd said:
    He'll stay in the car, so he should come as he is.
    Or
    He'll stay in the car, so he should come like that.
    Click to expand...
    The same here, but I find "should" odd. Don't you mean "can"?
     
    Short answer: "As you are" is standard English and it sounds politer. "Like that" sounds rude and abrupt, as though you're talking to someone you dislike or you think looks stupid.

    "You're going out looking like THAT?"

    "You're lovely just as you are".

    See the difference?
     
    I don't see much difference.

    To me, "come as you are" would normally be said in a situation where you will get out of the car and be seen by other people.

    - I'm not dressed for a party.
    - No one cares. Just come as you are.

    The same in the second option. The word "come" doesn't fit. He's not going anywhere himself.

    I think I would say, "Just wear what you're wearing." There's no implication in that sentence that he's going somewhere himself.
     
    But still Kentix is the use of "like that" natural in that context in AmE? Or is "as you are" more common in this context?[other than your alternative].
    "Come" was used in the sense "just come with me to drop me off".

    kentix said:
    - I'm not dressed for a party.
    - No one cares. Just come as you are
    Click to expand...
    And in this option if I use "like that" will it still sound as natural as your example?

    No one cares. Just come like that.
     
    There is a traditional AE phrase: a "come-as-you-are party". That is a party where you phone each guest and say "We are having a party right now, and you are requested to wear what you are wearing right now." In this phrase "come" is short for "come to the party", and "as you are" is short for "dressed as you are dressed". So it is a "come to the party dressed in what you are wearing right now" party.

    But "come as you are" is not a common expression in AE. It is not how we say "go someplace, dressed in what you are wearing right now". AE speakers don't say "come" without a following word (come to the pool; come with us; come downstairs). By itself "come" has a sexual meaning. "As you are" usually does not mean "dressed the way you are now". It usually means "in your current situation". I think the word "dressed" or "clothing" should be in your sentence. "Dress" and "wear" are much more natural verbs than "come", in this situation, in AE.

    "That" is a pointer word. During an in-person conversation, you can point to something and call it "that". If it is clear that the conversation is about "what dad wears in the car", then "like that" means "dressed like I see". In AE "like that" is not rude or abrupt. It can be said in a "rude, abrupt" way, or in a nice way. But that is tone of voice, not word choice.

    Note also that "you won't get out of the car" does not mean "nobody will see you". Dad may think of that. But anyway, I would say your example sentences this way in AE:

    You're going to stay in the car, so just dress the way you are.
    You're going to stay in the car, so just dress like that.
    You're going to stay in the car, so what you are wearing is fine.
     
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    But Dojibear don't your sentences imply "just dress the way you dress". But he's already in pajamas, so he doesn't really have to get changed.
    dojibear said:
    You're going to stay in the car, so just dress the way you are.
    You're going to stay in the car, so just dress like that.
    Click to expand...
     
    "Dress" is not the same as "get dressed". If you are already "dressed", then no change is needed to "dress" the way you are already "dressed".

    "To dress in pajamas in the car" means the same as "to wear pajamas in the car". If you are in pajamas now, you are ready.

    You're going to stay in the car, so just dress (during the car trip) the way you are (dressed now).
     
    dojibear said:
    Dress" is not the same as "get dressed". If you are already "dressed", then no change is needed to "dress" the way you are already "dressed".
    Click to expand...

    So does " dress the way you are" means "just wear what you're wearing "?

    Got it:thumbsup:
     
    Last edited:
    dojibear said:
    There is a traditional AE phrase: a "come-as-you-are party". That is a party where you phone each guest and say "We are having a party right now, and you are requested to wear what you are wearing right now." In this phrase "come" is short for "come to the party", and "as you are" is short for "dressed as you are dressed". So it is a "come to the party dressed in what you are wearing right now" party.

    But "come as you are" is not a common expression in AE. It is not how we say "go someplace, dressed in what you are wearing right now". AE speakers don't say "come" without a following word (come to the pool; come with us; come downstairs). By itself "come" has a sexual meaning. "As you are" usually does not mean "dressed the way you are now". It usually means "in your current situation". I think the word "dressed" or "clothing" should be in your sentence. "Dress" and "wear" are much more natural verbs than "come", in this situation, in AE.

    "That" is a pointer word. During an in-person conversation, you can point to something and call it "that". If it is clear that the conversation is about "what dad wears in the car", then "like that" means "dressed like I see". In AE "like that" is not rude or abrupt. It can be said in a "rude, abrupt" way, or in a nice way. But that is tone of voice, not word choice.

    Note also that "you won't get out of the car" does not mean "nobody will see you". Dad may think of that. But anyway, I would say your example sentences this way in AE:

    You're going to stay in the car, so just dress the way you are.
    You're going to stay in the car, so just dress like that.
    You're going to stay in the car, so what you are wearing is fine.
    Click to expand...
    May I ask if the as in"come as they are" or "stay as you are" is a conjunctive? Thanks a lot！
     
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