as

1. conjunction

1)

she looked up as he entered the room

Syn:

while, just as, even as, (just) when, at the time that, at the moment that

2)

we all felt as Frank did

Syn:

in the (same) way that, the (same) way; informal like

3)

do as you're told

Syn:

what, that which

4)

they were free, as the case had not been proved

Syn:

because, since, seeing that/as, in view of the fact that, owing to the fact that; informal on account of; literary for

See note at toward

5)

try as she did, she couldn't smile

Syn:

though, although, even though, in spite of the fact that, despite the fact that, notwithstanding that, for all that, albeit, however

6)

relatively short distances, as Hartford to New Haven

Syn:

such as, like, for instance, e.g., for example

7)

I'm away a lot, as you know

Syn:

which, a fact which

2. preposition

1)

he was dressed as a policeman

Syn:

like, in the guise of, so as to appear to be

2)

I'm speaking to you as your friend

Syn:

in the role of, being, acting as

•

- as for

- as to

- as it were

- as yet

••

as to

First, it must be said that as to is an all-purpose preposition to be avoided whenever a more specific preposition will do. But as to isn't always indefensible. The phrase is most justifiable when introducing something previously mentioned only cursorily: "As to concerns the fair might lose on-track business if it offered its signal to the OTBs, [Dun said]: ‘I figured we were going to lose the handle either way.’ (Portland Press Herald [ME]; Sept. 7, 1997.) In beginning sentences this way, as to is equivalent to the more colloquial as for. In effect, the phrase is a passable shorthand form of regarding, with regard to, or on the question of.

The phrase is also (minimally) defensible when used for about, but that word is stylistically preferable in most contexts. As to smells of jargon — e.g.: "The bill carries no presumptions as to [read about] the effect of incorporation." (News & Observer [Raleigh]; Mar. 17, 1997.)

The main problem with as to is that it doesn't clearly establish syntactic or conceptual relationships, so it can hamper comprehensibility. In each of the following examples, another preposition would more directly and forcefully express the thought:

• "There's no rule as to [read about] how long you have to wait before you can enjoy your creation." (Florida Times-Union; Aug. 14, 1997.)

• "It is always possible that your neighbor is not aware of how disturbing his or her behavior is and that he or she can be more sensitive to your concerns, or you can agree as to [read on] certain time parameters or (if music is the culprit) what is an acceptable volume level." (San Diego Union-Tribune; Aug. 24, 1997.)

• "The same is true as to [read of] other cases finding for leaders by applying the regulation." (Bankruptcy Court Decisions; Mar. 24, 1994.)

• "There is no change in the prior IRA rules with regard to an individual's participation in other qualifying retirement plans. As such, the rules remain the same as to [read for] the maximum amount of adjusted gross income a taxpayer can have before the IRA deduction begins to phase out." (Gazette-Telegraph [Colorado Springs]; Mar. 12, 1997.)

• "Some people are a little surprised as to [read by or at] how quickly Veniard has gotten to his present level." (Florida Times-Union; June 28, 199.).

•"During a trip to the Mars Pathfinder Mission Control Center in Pasadena this summer, House Aeronautics and Space Subcommittee member Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas, inquired as to [read into] whether the Pathfinder Mission had taken pictures of the American flag planted by Neil Armstrong in 1969." (San Francisco Chronicle; Sept. 15, 1997.) (In this case, the better rewording of "inquired as to whether" would have been "asked whether.") — BG