by R. S. Karunaratne

Words used with 'as'

There are many words used in combination with 'as'. Some of them are more common than others.

As if

'As if' is used to say what a situation seems like.

It can refer to something that we think may be true.

It looks as if it is going to rain.

It sounds as if Martha is going to resign from her job.

He looked as if he had some bad news.

I felt as if I had been beaten by somebody.

The people stared at me as if I was crazy.

In informal English 'as if!' is used to show that you do not believe something is possible.

A: Did you get the long-due promotion?

B: As if!

As though

'As though' is also used to say what a situation seems like. It can refer to something that we think may be true.

It looks as though he is not coming.

It sounds as though Jeniffer is going to join our company.

'As though' can be used to talk about things which we know are not true.

I feel as though I am being beaten with a club!

He was acting as though he was in charge of the office!

You look as though you know the boss.

Why are you looking at her as though you knew her?

As long as

After 'as long as', we use a present tense verb to express a future idea.

I'll remember this injustice as long as I live.

You'll not get any promotion as long as he is in charge.

'As long as' is used to state conditions.

You can take my laptop as long as you use it carefully.

You can raise a housing loan as long as you agree to repay it.

'As long as' is used before a number to suggest great length.

The court proceedings will last as long as four hours.

You will have to wait in a queue as long as two hours.

As such

'As such' is used to say that something is not exactly what has been suggested.

He is not a writer as such but he has written some articles to newspapers.

She is not a photographer as such but she can use a digital camera.

As usual

In this expression, the adjective 'usual' is used instead of the adverb 'usually.'

The specialist is late, as usual.

The boss is shouting, as usual.

As well as

'As well as' is used when we wish to add something more to what we have said.

Srima has a mobile phone, as well as a laptop and a television.

She is beautiful as well as intelligent.

Prem works as a journalist as well as an announcer.

We use 'as well as' when some information is already known.

Some mammals live on the earth as well as in the sea.

She speaks English as well as French.

'As well as' is usually followed by a verb in the 'ing' form.

As well as passing the examination, he managed to get a good job.

As well as breaking into the house, the robbers killed one of the inmates.

Quiz on phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs are a very important part of English. They are used both in formal and informal English. Here is a quiz on phrasal verbs. Check your answers with the key.

1. Don't you dare answer me back, boy!

(a) reply rudely

(b) answer politely

(c) remain silent

2. Parents have to answer for their children's behaviour.

(a) be punished

(b) be responsible

(c) ignore

3. There are many privileges appertaining to the office of chairman.

(a) unsuitable for

(b) recommended for

(c) connected to

4. The board of directors failed to arrive at a decision.

(a) reach

(b) cancel

(c) postpone

5. Saman asked after your health.

(a) is not interested in

(b) asked for information

(c) mentioned about

6. A bearded man is asking for Mary.

(a) scolding

(b) warning

(c) waiting to meet

7. Nethmi phoned me to ask me out for a drink.

(a) invite

(b) cancel an invitation

(c) remind

8. I have never aspired to a position of power.

(a) declined

(b) desired

(c) got

9. Do not associate with undesirable charaters.

(a) avoid

(b) neglect

(c) keep company

10. I have to attend to some important matters in office.

(a) deal with

(b) postpone

(c) cancel

11. The recent election results attest to the ruling party's popularity.

(a) disprove

(b) prove

(c) show

12. She attributes her lack of sympathy to a comfortable childhood.

(a) forgets

(b) says

(c) believes

**********

Key:

1. (a), 2. (b), 3. (c), 4. (a), 5. (b), 6. (c), 7. (a), 8. (b), 9. (c), 10. (a), 11. (b), 12. (c).

**********

Starters

Tenses: Part 1

The simple present tense

In the affirmative the simple present tense has the same form as the infinitive but adds an 's' for the third person singular.

Affirmative

I write.

You write.

He / She / It writes.

We write.

You write.

They write.

Negative

I do not write.

You do not write.

He / She / It does not write.

We do not write.

You do not write.

They do not write.

Interrogative

Do I write?

Do you write?

Does he / she / it write?

Do we write?

Do you write?

Do they write?

Spelling rules

Verbs ending in 'ss, sh, ch, x' and 'o' add 'es', instead of 's', to form the third person singular.

I kiss but he / she / it kisses

I rush but he / she / it rushes

I watch but he / she / it watches

I box but he / she / it boxes

I do but he / she / it does

I go but he / she / it goes

When 'y' follows a consonant we change the 'y' into 'i' and add 'es.'

I carry but he / she / it carries

I copy but he / she / it copies

However, verbs ending in 'y' following a vowel obey the usual rule.

I obey but he / she / it obeys

I survey but he / she / it surveys

I convey but he / she / it conveys

The simple present tense is used to express habitual action.

Banda chews a betel.

Dogs bark at night.

Cats drink milk.

The river flows.

Children attend school.

We eat rice.

The simple present tense is used with the following words and phrases.

I always see him at the library.

We never eat meat.

She often loses her temper.

Raju sometimes gets angry.

Maya usually wears a white sari.

I visit India twice a year.

Next: The present continuous tense.