1. Like can mean similar to.    

Pattern: be, look, seem + like + noun
She is like her sister.
They don't look like their mother.

2. Like can indicate similar behavior.            

Pattern: verb + like + noun
He talks like his father.
She swims like a duck. 

Common verbs before like:

act, behave, play, sing, talk, walk        

3. Like can describe excessive behavior.               

Pattern 1: verb + noun + like + abstract noun
She spends money like water.                                     

Nouns commonly used with this meaning:
anything, fun, water                                        

Pattern 2: verb + noun + like + adjective
He dances like crazy.
She works like mad.                                                    

4. Like can indicate an example.                 

Pattern: noun + like + noun
They grow root vegetables, like beets, carrots, radishes, and turnips.             

5. Like can mean characteristic of.                    

Pattern: be + like + noun + to + verb
It's not like you to complain.                   

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