<p>I feel “like” sounds much more casual and conversational, not pretentious. The use of “like” is perfectly acceptable, after all, isn’t that the definition of a simile (aka what you are trying to create here)?</p>
<p>I feel “like” sounds much more casual and conversational, not pretentious. The use of “like” is perfectly acceptable, after all, isn’t that the definition of a simile (aka what you are trying to create here)?</p>