as

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a conjunction (joining words, phrases, and clauses) to indicate a comparison, or a temporal relationship. Example: I have been running as fast as I can.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's not as simple as that".

The Economist

We will also ensure that if there are any lessons to be learned, they are shared as soon as possible.

The Guardian

Scheduled to make the 1,492km 9277 miles) journey every day except Christmas Day, the A320 plane has seen passengers delayed for as little as two minutes and as long as 12 hours and 18 minutes.

The Guardian - Money

Just as well.

The New York Times - Sports

Another reason is to display it in other places as well.

The Guardian

Engineers are on site and we aim to resume services as quickly as possible.

The Guardian

"I want to bring our country together, our United Kingdom together, not least by implementing as fast as we can the devolution that we rightly promised and came together with other parties to agree both for Wales and for Scotland.

The Guardian

It's as simple as that," Brusatte said.

The Guardian

We hope that his fellow executives will now follow suit and announce they will also be giving up their large bonuses as well".

The Guardian

The proposal does not go as far as banning EU migrants access to income-related benefits entirely for the first year in the UK, as had previously been suggested.

The Guardian

Ending the something for nothing culture needs to apply to immigration as well as welfare.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as" for comparison, ensure that the items being compared are grammatically parallel. For example, "He is as tall as I am", not "He is as tall as me."

Common error

Avoid using "as" in comparisons where the second part of the comparison is incomplete or unclear. For instance, instead of saying "This is as good or better than that", clarify it to "This is as good as or better than that."

Linguistic Context

"As" primarily functions as a conjunction, connecting clauses or phrases to indicate comparison, time, or reason. It can also act as an adverb, specifying the extent or degree. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. For instance, "as you wish" shows its role in indicating manner or agreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as" is a versatile word functioning primarily as a conjunction, but also as an adverb or preposition. It is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, as validated by Ludwig. Its main functions include indicating comparisons, simultaneous events, and causal relationships. It maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. Usage tips include ensuring grammatical parallelism in comparisons and avoiding incomplete comparisons. Ludwig AI highlights that "as" helps establish clear connections between different elements in a sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the same way that

Emphasizes similarity in manner or method.

just as

Highlights an exact parallel or correspondence.

while

Indicates simultaneous actions or events.

when

Specifies a point in time when something occurs.

since

Introduces a reason or cause for something.

because

Provides a direct explanation for an event or situation.

considering that

Introduces a premise upon which a conclusion is based.

in that

Explains a particular aspect or characteristic.

to the extent that

Highlights the degree or scope of something.

in accordance with

Indicates compliance with rules or standards.

FAQs

How can I use "as" to show comparison?

Use "as...as" to compare two things that are equal in some way. For example, "She is "as tall as" her brother".

When is it appropriate to use "as" to indicate time?

You can use "as" to mean "while" or "when" to show that two actions happen at the same time. For example, "As I was walking, I saw a bird."

Can "as" be used interchangeably with "because"?

Yes, "as" can often replace "because" to introduce a reason, but "because" is generally stronger. For example, "I left early "as I was tired"" is similar to "I left early because I was tired".

What's the difference between using "as if" and "as though"?

The phrases "as if" and "as though" are generally interchangeable and both indicate a hypothetical situation. For example, "He acted as if he knew the answer" is the same as "He acted as though he knew the answer".