as (relative: as we know)
as (relative: as we know) means “as can introduce a comment clause referring to the whole sentence: As you know, ...; She was late, as usual”. This as means 'a fact that' and comments on the whole clause rather than a single noun: As you can see, the plan works. Formation: As + clause , ... / ... , as + clause
as can introduce a comment clause referring to the whole sentence: As you know, ...; She was late, as usual
B2Formation
As + clause , ... / ... , as + clause
Explanation
This as means 'a fact that' and comments on the whole clause rather than a single noun: As you can see, the plan works. As I said, we are ready. It often appears in fixed phrases: as usual, as expected, as we know. The clause with as can go at the start, in the middle, or at the end, and is separated by commas.
Examples
Note
This relative as is different from as meaning 'because' or 'while' (egr074): here it always comments on a whole statement. Compare which, which also refers to a whole clause but follows it: The office is closed, which surprised me (not as surprised me).
FAQ
as (relative: as we know) — what does it mean and how is it used?
as can introduce a comment clause referring to the whole sentence: As you know, ...; She was late, as usual. This as means 'a fact that' and comments on the whole clause rather than a single noun: As you can see, the plan works. As I said, we are ready. It often appears in fixed phrases: as usual, as expected, as we know. The clause with as can go at the start, in the middle, or at the end, and is separated by commas.
as (relative: as we know) — how do you form it?
As + clause , ... / ... , as + clause
as (relative: as we know) — any usage notes?
This relative as is different from as meaning 'because' or 'while' (egr074): here it always comments on a whole statement. Compare which, which also refers to a whole clause but follows it: The office is closed, which surprised me (not as surprised me).