as

Pronunciation

• (stressed): IPA ^(key): /æz/, SAMPA: /{z/
• (unstressed): IPA ^(key): /əz/, SAMPA: /@z/

• Audio (US)

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Preposition

Preposition as

1. A word that is used to compare two things that are equal.

   As you know, we need more workers.

   I baked the cake as my mother used to.

   The room looks just as it did when I was a child.

   The speech, as he remembered it, was very powerful.

   The measures as taken by the government were effective.

2. A word that is used to show that two things happened at the same time.

   Just as I went out, it started to rain.

   We sleep as the world turns in darkness.

3. A word that is used to show why something happens.

   As I couldn't understand French, I didn't watch the film.

4. A word that is used to express concession.

   Interesting as it seems, I don't think I'll get it.

Synonyms

• than

Subordinator

Subordinator as

1. As has no lexical meaning. It is used to introduce gerund-participial verb phrases.

   The house was reported as being in excellent condition.

   The police do not regard him as being dangerous.

   Several pupils were designated as having moderate or severe learning difficulties.

2. As has no lexical meaning. It is used to combine with the subsequent noun phrase or adjective phrase to form a verbless clause.

   I always think of you as one of the family.

   She rates his work as creative.

Adverb

Positive as

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. A word that is used to compare two things that are equal. (Used before adjectives)

   You are younger than I am, but nearly as tall.

   This is not as good as it was last time.