as ... as

Comparing Equal Qualities

Level 3

As ... as compares an equal degree: This bag as heavy as yours. Not as ... as expresses a lower degree of that quality without specifying an exact difference.

How It Works

As ... as presents two things as equal in a quality: This bag as heavy as yours. The adjective names the quality being compared. The corresponding full be frame is also available in local conversation.

Not as ... as denies equality in the direction relevant to the adjective. This bag not as heavy as yours says it is lighter, not that it has no weight. The context may also support a broad rather than measured comparison. Keep the two comparison partners clear and do not mistake one partner's possessive pronoun for the quantity one.

Examples (4)

  1. This bag as heavy as yours.

    This bag is as heavy as yours.

  2. My room not as big as yours.

    My room is smaller than yours.

  3. The tea as hot as the coffee.

    The tea and coffee are equally hot, in the intended comparison.

  4. Today the bus not as crowded as yesterday.

    The bus is less crowded today than it was yesterday.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

as ... asLevel 3Comparing Equal Qualities

Learn This First

Recognize a comparison between two things before presenting equal degree or denying equality.