THE LITTLE WORD "AS"
378. Adjective clauses may also be introduced by as. As is a very convenient word and may be used in several different ways; sometimes as an adverb, sometimes as a conjunction; and it may also be used as a relative pronoun after such, same and many. For example:
- Such books as you should read are listed here.
- No such person as he ever came here.
- We are facing the same crisis as our comrades faced.
- This is the same as you gave before.
- He has made as many mistakes as you have.
In these sentences as is really used as a relative pronoun, connecting these adjective clauses to the words which they modify. As may also be used as an adverb. I am as tall as you are.
Here the first as modifies tall and is used as an adverb; the second as is a conjunction connecting the subordinate clause you are, with the principal clause. Note that in making comparisons, as is always used when the comparison is equal, so when it is unequal, thus:
- I am as tall as you are.
- She is not so tall as you are.
We have found that as is also used as a conjunction to introduce an adverb clause. For example:
- She is as beautiful as she is good.
The clause, as she is good, is an adverb clause, modifying the adjective beautiful. In the sentence, Do as I say, as I say is an adverb clause of manner, modifying the verb do.