"in a similar way as" or "in a similar way to"?
Consider the two statements:
A is constructed in a similar way as B
and
A is constructed in a similar way to B
Which one is correct, or can they both be?
By the way, I originally thought of the sentence is a weakened form the following:
A is constructed in the same way as B
This might subconsciously lead me to prefer the former construction, although if I would expand the sentences above into imagined longer versions, I might have to choose between
A is constructed in a similar way as the way in which B is constructed
and
A is constructed in a way that is similar to the way in which B is constructed
where I guess the latter sounds better.
It is "the same as" or "similar to". As should not be used with similar.
See this ruling on The Free Dictionary:
similarity n ˈsimilarly
adv
Usage: As should not be used after similar: Wilson held a similar position to Jones (not a similar position as Jones); the system is similar to the one in France (not similar as the one in France)
I'd use in a similar way to, but both are used. Ngram shows that to is the most used form.