as he used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as he used" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to refer to a previous action or method employed by someone, but it lacks clarity and completeness. Example: "He completed the task as he used to do it before."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Not as much as he used to.

The New York Times

Her beloved Juannie is not communicating as he used to.

The New York Times

Not as important as he used to be.

The Washington Post

He is not as incisive as he used to be.

The Guardian - Sport

"He'll never be as good as he used to be.

The New York Times

He doesn't move as well as he used to".

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe he's not as steady as he used to be.

The New York Times - Sports

Thereafter, Themistocles was not so popular in Sparta as he used to be.

Yale University

It has plenty of power, but he doesn't drive it as fast as he used to.

The New Yorker

Also, he doesn't get as flustered as he used to when someone made a mistake.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I went and got exactly the same instruments and pencils as he used a 0.5-mm.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always complete the phrase "as he used" with a verb or a 'to be' verb (for example "as he used to do", "as he used to be") to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "as he used" without completing the thought. This often leaves the sentence incomplete and grammatically incorrect. Always specify what he used to do or be.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as he used" functions as an incomplete adverbial clause, often intended to modify a verb by indicating a manner or method in which something was previously done. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically incorrect if not completed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "as he used" appears frequently across various sources, including news and media, it's generally considered grammatically incomplete without a subsequent verb phrase. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect in its isolated form. To ensure clarity and correctness, always complete the phrase with a verb, such as "as he used to do" or "as he used to be". If you intend to convey something similar, consider using alternatives like "like he used to" or "as he was accustomed to". Remember that the source and writing context might vary from neutral to informal, depending on the specific source.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

like he used to

Uses 'like' for a direct comparison to a past state or habit.

as he was accustomed to

Replaces 'used' with 'accustomed', indicating a habitual action.

the way he used to

Emphasizes the manner in which something was done previously.

in the manner he used to

Formally specifies the method or style previously employed.

as was his custom

Indicates that something was done according to his regular practice.

in his usual way

Highlights the typical or habitual nature of his actions.

as he had done before

Focuses on the repetition of an action from a prior instance.

in the style he once did

Highlights a change in stylistic approach compared to the past.

according to his old habits

Implies a return to or mention of past habits or practices.

as was typical for him

Suggests a past behavior that was characteristic or expected of him.

FAQs

How should I correctly use the phrase "as he used"?

To use "as he used" correctly, complete the phrase with a verb that specifies the action or state you are referring to. For example, "as he used to say", "as he used to do", or "as he used to be".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "as he used to do"?

You can use alternatives such as "like he used to", "as he was accustomed to", or "the way he used to" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say just "as he used"?

No, the phrase "as he used" is generally considered grammatically incomplete. It needs to be followed by additional words to clarify the intended meaning, such as "as he used to", "as he used to do", or "as he used to be".

What's the difference between "as he used to" and "as he used"?

"As he used to" implies a past habit or state that is no longer true, while "as he used" is incomplete and requires further context to be grammatically correct. The former is a complete phrase, whereas the latter is not.