Do You Know How to Use AS in English Writing & Speaking Correctly? | Learn How to Use AS in Different Ways

Different Uses of AS

'As' can be used in different ways. 'As' can be used as a Conjunction, it can also be used as a Preposition or as an Adverb.

A) Use of AS as a Conjunction:

As can be used as a Conjunction. Let's see how to use As as a Conjunction in different ways.

a) As (= Because/reason) | [As + Reason, Effect/Result (Connecting a result with a cause)]

Read the following sentences to understand this better

1) As it was getting late, I decided to go alone.

2) You can go first as you're the oldest.

3) I shall not go to school as it's raining. | As it's raining, I'll not go to school. | As he is a bad boy, I'll not talk to him. | As today is a holiday, all banks are closed. or All banks are closed as today is a holiday. | As he is weak, he can't run fast. | We should help him as he is new in this office.

3) As my office is nearby, I go to the office on foot.

4) As I was not feeling well, I came home. 

As I was feeling tired, I went to bed early. [I went to bed early  because I was feeling tired.] | I went to bed early, as I was exhausted.

b) As (= While) [During the time that] | As ( = While) [Two incidents happen at the same time] [Two simultaneous actions]

Have a look at the sentences below

1) I met John as I was coming home.

2) He gets more attractive as he gets older.

3) Everyone cheered and clapped as the winners received their medals and prizes.

4) Just as I was sitting down to watch TV, the phone rang.

5) The flames grew larger as the fire spread.

6) John was cleaning his room as I was reading a novel. | As we grow older, we become wiser. (or We become wiser as we grow older.) | As the sun rises, the fog disappeared. | As the teacher entered the classroom, all the students became quiet and stood up. As Tom started singing, John ran away.

I watched her as she opened the door. | Turn off the light as you go out.

They arrived as we were leaving.

c) As ( = When)

Examples

1) As I reached the station, the train started. | As I reached there, the meeting was over.

d) As (= Like) [In the same way]

Examples

1) John got divorced, (just) as his parents had done years before.

2) As in previous years, tickets sold very quickly this year.

3) The temple looks exactly as it did when it was built in 1920.

4) Jane told me not to ask questions, just to do as she did.

5) Do exactly as I say.

More Uses of As as a Conjunction:

1) I did as you asked me to do. | As you say... | As you wish... | I did as you said. | As you sow, so you reap. | I prepared this report exactly as you instructed. (Clause + As + Clause) | I will do as you say. | Do as your parents say. | I will do as I want. | I did as he told me. | Do as directed. | They did as I had asked. | Leave the papers as they are. | She failed the exam, just as I said she would. She arrived early, (just) as I expected. Think as I think. I did as I was told.

* When one action is following the other action, don't use 'as'

For example,

When I reached home, I took a bath. [Not 'As I reached home,...']

B) Use of AS as a Preposition:

[Used to describe the purpose or quality of someone or something | In the role or function of | To talk about someone's job/profession or Use of something]

As can be used as a Preposition. Let's see how to use AS as Preposition.

Look at the sentences below:

1) She works here as a waitress.

2) It could be used as evidence against him.

3) The news came as quite a shock to us.

4) I meant it as a joke.

5) He wouldn't be my choice as a friend.

6) Yesterday the selectors chose Dales as the team's new captain.

7) John got a part-time evening job as an office cleaner.

8) His latest film is described as a romantic comedy. 

6) I work here as a manager. | I am working as a manager here. | As a teacher, it's my duty. | A few years ago I worked as a teacher. (...I was a teacher.) | We use the garage as a workshop. | I work here as a part-time employee. | John works here as my assistant. | You can treat me as a friend. | I respect him as a teacher.

Acting as a mediator. To act as leader.

C) Use of AS as an Adverb:

[Used in comparisons to refer to the degree of something | Used in expressions that compare two things, persons, groups, or qualities]

Examples:

1) He'll soon be as tall as her father.

3) It's not as good as it used to be.

4) Country life is not always as peaceful as city dwellers think.

5) She can't run as fast as she used to.

6) The apple pie was as good as the one my grandmother used to make.

7) This jacket costs twice as much as that one.

8) The bread was as hard as a brick.

* We use 'As + Adjective/Adverb + As' to make comparisons when the things we are comparing are equal in some way. | To the same extent or degree, equally

I can't run as fast as you can. | You are as old as I'm. | The child sang as sweetly as a nightingale.

Other Important Uses of As:

* As a brother, I wouldn't allow you to do so. | As a citizen, we should follow the rules set by the government.

* Used to say that something happens in the same way:

1) As always, he said little.

2) The 'h' in Honest is silent, as in Hour.

* To add information about what you've just said

1) As you know, Julee is leaving soon.

2) She is very tall, as is her mother.

* Just as [Using Just before As]

1) John arrived, just as I left. | I had to go just as the conversation was getting interesting.

2) John is just as intelligent as his brother, Tom.

3) She lost it, just as I said she would.

* Use a Comma (,) when you start a sentence with 'As'.

* We use 'such as' to introduce examples

For Example

1) My parents gave me some gifts such as a mobile, a laptop and a bike.