As

/æz/

adverbBeginner🔥Very CommonComparison
3 meanings2 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To the same extent or degree; equally.

/æz/

adverbneutralBeginner
Comparison

To the same degree or amount

The sky is as blue as the ocean.

💡 Simply: Just like; the same as.

More Examples

2

She sings as beautifully as a nightingale.

How It's Used

General

"He's as tall as his father."

2

Since; because; considering that.

/æz/

conjunctionneutralBeginner
Causality

Because; since

As you requested, I have completed the task.

💡 Simply: Because of this...

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2

As the sun sets, the sky turns orange.

How It's Used

General

"As it was raining, we stayed inside."

Tip:Think of 'as' representing a cause-and-effect relationship.
3

In the function or role of; in the form or character of.

/æz/

prepositionneutralBeginner
Role

In the capacity or role of

She served as president of the club.

💡 Simply: In the job of; like a...

More Examples

2

They used the box as a table.

How It's Used

General

"He works as a teacher."

Tip:Think of 'as' signifying a function or identity.

From Old English *als, from Proto-Germanic *al-sō, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-sō. It has evolved through various grammatical functions over time.

The word 'as' has a long and rich history in English, its usage evolving from an adverbial and pronominal role in Old English to its diverse functions in modern English.

Memory tip

Think of a scale balancing equally.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"A word used to create comparison, causality, and function"

as soon asas well asas ifas long asas much as

Usage

85%Spoken
90%Written