as

Everyday

1. As means in the role of: she works as a nurse. tree →
2. As means in the same way or the same amount: as tall as his dad, as many as. tree →
3. As can mean at the same time: as I walked in, the bell rang. tree →
4. As can mean because: as it was raining, we stayed inside. tree →
5. (casual) In strong chatty talk «as» after a word means «very»: it's cold as, he's mad as (Australia, NZ, UK slang: «sweet as» means great). tree →
6. (casual) «As if!» means «that will never happen» or «no way». tree →
7. (formal) The exam voice uses «as» in stiff phrases: «as follows», «as stated above», «as specified», «in so far as», «inasmuch as». tree →

In the lessons

seeing one operation like another, as in «multiplying as equal groups»; in comparisons «as many as» (equal), «twice as many as» (×2), «half as many as» (÷2); in everyday life «as well» (too), «as soon as», «such as» (for example), «as usual», «as if»; in Australian and NZ talk «sweet as» (great), «easy as»; in the exam voice «as follows», «as given», «as stated»

Examples

• Today's lesson: Multiplying as equal groups. tree →
• Lily has as many stickers as Max. tree →
• Tom has twice as many marbles as Sue. tree →
• As I opened the door, the cat ran out. tree →
• He dressed up as a pirate for the party. tree →
• You can bring fruits such as apples and grapes. tree →
• As it was late, we went straight to bed. tree →
• Do it as soon as you can. tree →
• «Can you do the dishes?» «Sweet as, mate.» tree →
• it's cold as out there, bring ya jacket tree →
• «Your brother will share his chips.» «As if!» tree →
• The quantities are as follows: Tom possesses twice as many marbles as Sue, who possesses 6. tree →
• All was as still as salt. tree →

Note

In «as many as» the two amounts are equal; in «twice as many as» multiply by 2; in «half as many as» divide by 2. Trap: «as» alone carries no operation clue. «as … as» compares with the plain adjective: as big as, not as bigger as. Slang «cold as», «sweet as» end with «as» and nothing after: it only means «very»; there is no comparison to work out. «As if!» means «never», not a comparison. «as follows» in an exam means the facts come next.

In Jewish tradition

seeing one operation like another, as in «multiplying as equal groups»; in comparisons «as many as» (equal), «twice as many as» (×2), «half as many as» (÷2); in everyday life «as well» (too), «as soon as», «such as» (for example), «as usual», «as if»; in Australian and NZ talk «sweet as» (great), «easy as»; in the exam voice «as follows», «as given», «as stated»

Examples

• And his sons did unto him according as he commanded them. (Torah GEN.50.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses. (Torah LEV.24.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• But as for you, your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness. (Torah NUM.14.32, JPS 1917) tree →
• Shall His recompense be as thou wilt? (Writings JOB.34.33, JPS 1917) tree →
• May his years be as many generations! (Writings PSA.61.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• How is she become as a widow! (Writings LAM.1.1, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

In «as many as» the two amounts are equal; in «twice as many as» multiply by 2; in «half as many as» divide by 2. Trap: «as» alone carries no operation clue. «as … as» compares with the plain adjective: as big as, not as bigger as. Slang «cold as», «sweet as» end with «as» and nothing after: it only means «very»; there is no comparison to work out. «As if!» means «never», not a comparison. «as follows» in an exam means the facts come next.