as
gb/ˈæz/ us/ˈæz/
A2
English
~ 100
Senses
0 senses
conjunction
A2
relation
1
In the way or to the degree that
Used to say how something happens or how much it happens.
Usage pattern:
[something] happens as [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'as' with 'like' when comparing actions; 'as' is followed by a clause, while 'like' is followed by a noun or pronoun.
Synonyms
in the way that (More formal and explicit phrase conveying the same meaning.)
Collocations
as fast as
|as soon as
|as far as
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Do as I say, not as I do.
- She sang as if no one was listening.
- As you know, the meeting has been postponed.
Learner examples
- Please do it as I showed you.
- He runs as fast as his brother.
- As we talked, it started to rain.
conjunction
B1
relation
2
Because; since
Used to give the reason for something.
Usage pattern:
as [clause], [main clause]
Common mistake:
Sometimes learners confuse this with 'while' meaning 'during'. Here, 'as' means 'because'.
Synonyms
since (Slightly more formal but similar in meaning.)
Collocations
as it was raining
|as you were late
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- As it was getting late, we decided to leave.
- I didn’t call her, as I didn’t have her number.
- As you were out, I left a message.
Learner examples
- As it was dark, we went home.
- I stayed inside as it was cold.
- She went to bed early as she was tired.
preposition
A2
relation
3
In the role or function of
Used to say what job, role, or purpose someone or something has.
Usage pattern:
as [role/function]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'as' with 'like'; 'as' shows actual role, while 'like' shows similarity.
Synonyms
in the capacity of (More formal and less common.)
Collocations
work as a teacher
|serve as an example
Themes
work
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She works as a nurse.
- Think of it as a challenge.
- He served as president for four years.
Learner examples
- I work as a driver.
- He acts as my guide.
- She uses her phone as a camera.
adverb
A2
relation
4
To the same degree or amount
Used to say that two things are equal in some way.
Usage pattern:
as [adjective/adverb] as [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit the second 'as' in comparisons ('He is tall as me' instead of 'He is as tall as me').
Synonyms
equally ('Equally' is more formal and less idiomatic in this structure.)
Antonyms
less than (Indicates a lower degree rather than equality.)
Collocations
as tall as
|as quickly as
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He is as tall as his father.
- The test was not as hard as I expected.
- She can run as fast as you.
Learner examples
- My house is as big as yours.
- He is as smart as his sister.
- The car is not as new as mine.
Grammar
Dictionary form
as
IPA
GB/ˈæz/
US/ˈæz/
Syllables & stress
as (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (as)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: as
- Plural: ases
Word family
Forms
ases
noun
Advanced or less common
whereas
conjunction B2
Expressions
as soon as
1/ˈæz sˈun ˈæz/
fixed phrase
Immediately after something happens
Right after something happens.
Examples
- Call me as soon as you arrive.
- I’ll let you know as soon as I finish.
as well as
1/ˈæz wˈɛl ˈæz/
fixed phrase
In addition to something
Also; in addition to.
Examples
- She plays the piano as well as the guitar.
- The job requires skill as well as experience.
as if
1/ˈæz ˈɪf/
fixed phrase
In a way suggesting something unreal or imagined
In a way that makes it seem like something is true, even if it’s not.
Examples
- She talks as if she knows everything.
- He looks as if he hasn’t slept in days.
- He looked at me as if I were crazy.
- She talks to him as if he were a child.
as long as
1/ˈæz lˈɔŋ ˈæz/
fixed phrase
Only if; during the time that
Only if something happens, or during the time something happens.
Examples
- You can borrow my bike as long as you bring it back by tomorrow.
- As long as we keep working hard, we will succeed.
as long as
2/ˈæz lˈɔŋ ˈæz/
fixed phrase
Provided that; during the time that something lasts
If something happens; or during the time something happens.
Examples
- You can borrow it as long as you bring it back tomorrow.
- I’ll stay here as long as you need me.
as far as I know
1/ˈæz fˈɑɹ ˈæz ˈaɪ nˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
To the best of my knowledge
From what I know; based on my information.
Examples
- As far as I know, they are still together.
- As far as I know, there’s no meeting today.
as far as I know
2/ˈæz fˈɑɹ ˈæz ˈaɪ nˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
To my knowledge; based on what I know now
Based on what I know right now.
Examples
- As far as I know, she’s still in Paris.
- As far as I know, this is the last train.
as far as I know
3/ˈæz fˈɑɹ ˈæz ˈaɪ nˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
according to what I know now
You say this to show you are telling what you know, but it might not be complete or correct.
Examples
- As far as I know, they’re still together.
- As far as I know, the meeting is at 10.