This structure is used to show that two things are equal or the same in a particular way. It's a comparison of equality.
1. The Basic Structure
The fundamental formula is:
Subject + Verb + as + [Adjective/Adverb] + as + [Noun/Pronoun/Clause]
Think of the two as words as balanced scales. What you put in the middle is the quality you are comparing.
* Positive: My house is as big as yours. (The size of my house = The size of your house)
* Negative: My house is not as big as yours. (The size of my house ≠ The size of your house)
2. Using as...as with Adjectives
We use adjectives between as...as to compare the qualities of two nouns. The adjective describes the noun.
* She is as tall as her brother. (Comparing their height)
* This coffee is as hot as the one I had this morning. (Comparing their temperature)
* The movie was not as interesting as the book. (Comparing how interesting they were)
* Is your car as reliable as this one? (Comparing their reliability)
3. Using as...as with Adverbs
We use adverbs between as...as to compare two actions. The adverb describes how the verb is performed.
* He runs as fast as his friend. (Comparing how they run)
* She can sing as beautifully as a professional. (Comparing how they sing)
* You must complete the task as quickly as possible. (A very common phrase)
* He doesn't work as hard as he should. (Comparing his work ethic to an expectation)
4. Using as...as with Quantifiers (much, many, little, few)
This is used to compare amounts or quantities.
as much as (for uncountable nouns: time, money, water, effort)
* He earns as much money as his boss.
* She didn't put as much effort into the project as I did.
as many as (for countable nouns: books, people, cars, ideas)
* They have as many children as we do.
* There are as many chairs as there are guests.
5. The Negative Form: not as...as or not so...as
To say two things are unequal, you use the negative form. This means one thing has less of a quality than the other.
* Structure: not as [adjective/adverb] as
Examples:
* This phone is not as expensive as the latest model. (The latest model is more expensive).
* He doesn't drive as carefully as his father. (His father drives more carefully).
* It is not as cold today as it was yesterday. (Yesterday was colder).
You can also use not so...as. It means the same thing but is often considered slightly more formal.
* The second exam was not so difficult as the first one.
* She is not so friendly as her sister.
6. Common Idiomatic Phrases (Similes)
English is full of common phrases that use the as...as structure to make a description more vivid.
* as white as a sheet (very pale, usually from fear or shock)
* as cold as ice
* as busy as a bee
* as brave as a lion
* as easy as pie (or as easy as ABC)
* as good as gold (usually refers to good behavior, especially of children)
* as old as the hills (very old)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
* Don't use the comparative form of the adjective/adverb.
* Incorrect: She is as taller as him.
* Correct: She is as tall as him.
* Don't forget the second as.
* Incorrect: This car is as fast the other one.
* Correct: This car is as fast as the other one.
* Subject vs. Object Pronouns (I/me, he/him).
* Informal: You are as smart as me. (Very common in spoken English)
* Formal: You are as smart as I. (Technically more correct because it implies "as I am".)
For everyday conversation, using object pronouns (me, him, her, us, them) is perfectly acceptable.
Quick Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct words.
* This bag is ______ heavy ______ a rock!
* He doesn't speak English ______ fluently ______ his wife.
* I have ______ many shoes ______ my sister.
* The weather today is not ______ bad ______ yesterday.
Answers: 1. as, as | 2. as, as | 3. as, as | 4. as/so, as
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