Re : What is the function of the "as"?

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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pdh0224
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Re : What is the function of the "as"?

Post by pdh0224 »

Dear Alan,

Reasons already explained: the phrases that it introduces have an implicit agency that the true prepositional phrase can never have. Simply to label it a 'preposition' (which, admittedly, some reference works do) is, to my mind, sacrificing accuracy for the sake of simplicity!

--
There are so many dictionaries considering "AS" as one of functions of "AS".

#1.

preposition 1 used to refer to the function or character of someone or something: it came as a shock. 2 during the time of being.
AskOxford.com

#2.

preposition time when: used to indicate a stage in somebody’s life
As a teenager I was quite shy.
- http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/ ... 1861587033

#3

Definition as (FOR THIS PURPOSE) [Show phonetics]
preposition
used to describe the purpose or quality of someone or something:
She works as a waitress.
It could be used as evidence against him.
The news came as quite a shock to us.
I meant it as a joke.

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define. ... &dict=CALD

#4

preposition
Definition 1. in the function or position of.
Example He is serving as temporary director

http://www.wordsmyth.net/live/home.php? ... 2CPHR#POS7

#5

—prep.
in the role, function, or status of: to act as leader.

http://www.infoplease.com/dictionary/as


#6

Definition

as (BEING)
[Show phonetics]
preposition
appearing to be, or being
He went to the Halloween party dressed as a banana.
As a child, Miriam had lived in India.
The news came as no surprise

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define. ... 2+0&dict=A

and so on....

What do you think?
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Alan
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Post by Alan »

You have to remember that these are dictionaries, not specialist grammar reference books: they are likely to be very reliable for the most part, but, in respect of certain more subtle areas, especially those where even among grammarians some disagreement may exist, a certain degree of simplification is not entirely unexpected.

I think that we've probably explored this point about as far as is likely to be useful, so I'm closing this thread.

Let's move on to another topic!
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