Comparisons using AS

Forming

AS + ADJECTIVE/ADVERB + AS
As + much/many (+noun) + as

 

Examples

  • Peter is 24 years old. John is 24 years old. Peter is as old as John.
  • Ramona is as happy as Raphael.
  • I’m not as interested in reading as I am in watching TV.
  • I’m not earning as much (money) as I used to.
  • The classes don’t have as many students as in other places I’ve studied.
  • We finished as quickly as we could.

Usage

To compare people, places, events or things, when there is no difference

Using: as + adjective/adverb + as

Examples

  • Peter is 24 years old. John is 24 years old. Peter is as old as John.
  • Moscow is as cold as St. Petersburg in the winter.
  • Ramona is as happy as Raphael.
  • Einstein is as famous as Darwin.
  • A tiger is as dangerous as a lion.
  • My brother and I both play the piano but I don’t play as well as he does.


We also use the same as to show that two things are the same. In a positive sentence we often use just to emphasize that the two things are the same.

  • Tom’s weight is the same as Bob’s weight.
  • Tom is just the same weight as Bob.
  • The atmosphere in this restaurant is just the same as it is in Japan
  • This restaurant has the same atmosphere as a sushi restaurant in Japan.
  • Today’s cold temperature is the same as it was yesterday.
  • Today, we have just the same weather as we had yesterday.

To express amounts or quantities

Using: as + much/many (+noun) + as

  • Since I’ve started to work part-time I’m not earning as much (money) as I used to.
  • I like my language school because classes don’t have as many students as in other places I’ve studied.

To compare two items when the difference is only slight

almost/nearly/not quite + as + adjective/adverb + as

 

  • Speaking online with Skype is almost as good as being face-to-face with the person.
  • I thought things would be cheaper in this country but they are nearly as expensive as where I come from.
  • My exam results were not quite as good as I was hoping for.