2019-11-11 As well soon far much long as What’s the difference – Learners’ Questions

This week’s question

What’s the difference between as well as, as soon as, as far as, as much as and as long as?   – Shafie

Answer this

Which as – as expression can be used to give opinions?

Language points

As well as
As well as is used to include information. It is usually followed by a noun or -ing form. It basically means ‘in addition to’ or ‘also’.

• I’m going to explain ‘as well as’ as well as explaining other phrases.

As soon as
As soon as is a time expression that joins clauses together like ‘when’. It means ‘at the same time’ or ‘very soon after’.

• As soon as I arrived home, I could smell dinner.

As far as
As far as is commonly used to refer to the extent of a distance. It can also be used to talk about how much someone understands or knows something. It’s commonly used in expressions such as: as far as I know, as far as I understand, as far as I’m concerned.

• There were rain clouds as far as I could see.
• As far as I’m concerned, this is the best show ever.

As much as
As much as can be used as a comparison of quantity. The noun goes in between – as much / many X as… – We can also put as much as in front of an amount to emphasise surprise at the size of that amount. Finally, it can be used to contrast things in a way similar to ‘even though’ or ‘despite’. 

• I dont’ have as much money as you. But you don’t have as many friends as I do!
• She spent as much as £1000 on shoes!
• As much as I enjoyed the party, the music wasn’t great.

As long as
As long as compares length. It can also be used in conditionals to mean something like ‘if’ or ‘on the condition that’.

• My left arm is as long as my right arm.
• As long as you study, you will pass your exams.

The answer

As far as. It’s commonly used in expressions such as: as far as I know, as far as I understand, as far as I’m concerned.