Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 116 · B1

as (as I walked ... / as I was ... etc.)

As can mean at the same time as, for two things happening together (use when if one follows the other), and as can mean because.

Start the lesson

11Steps · about 21 minutes

In this lesson

as = at the same time asA1 screen of questions
as = becauseB1 screen of questions
Put it together+5 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 2

as = at the same time as

Use as when two things happen at the same time. You can also say something happened as you were in the middle of doing something else (past continuous: see Unit 6).

Just as means at exactly that moment. As also links two things that change together over a longer period.

Use when, not as, if one thing happens after another.

  • The children waved to their gran as the train pulled out.
  • As I walked down the high street, I looked in the shop windows.
  • Could you switch the light off as you go out?
  • Kate slipped as she was getting off the bus.
  • We ran into our old teacher as we were coming out of the cinema.
  • Just as I sat down, the phone rang.
  • My phone died just as the film was reaching the best part.
  • As the evening wore on, the room got colder.
  • The language got easier as I picked up more words.
  • As I cooked, I listened to a podcast. (at the same time)
  • When I arrived at work, I made a coffee. (not As I arrived)

Point A · Exercise 116.1

Here as means at the same time as. Join each sentence with the right ending, using as. Endings: we were cycling down the hill; I was lifting the pan off the hob; the train pulled out; he read the letter aloud; the band walked on stage.

  1. Example

    The children waved to their gran ...

    The children waved to their gran as the train pulled out.

    AnswerThe children waved to their gran as the train pulled out.

  2. We all sat in silence ...

  3. I scalded my hand ...

  4. The audience screamed ...

  5. A deer leapt across the lane ...

Point B of 2

as = because

As also means because. Since works the same way.

Compare: as (because) and when (at the time).

  • As I was starving, I made myself a sandwich.
  • As the shops are shut and it's raining, let's stay in.
  • Since the shops are shut and it's raining, let's stay in.
  • We watched telly all evening as there was nothing better to do.
  • As I never use my bike these days, I gave it to my niece.
  • Dev wasn't at work as he was on holiday. (because)
  • Dev lost his passport when he was on holiday. (during that time)
  • As they lived near us, we saw them quite often. (because)
  • When they lived near us, we saw them quite often. (at that time)

Point B · Exercise 116.2

Here as means because. Join the halves, beginning with As. Second halves: we had a picnic in the park; I took my shoes off at the door; I made myself a sandwich; the post office is closed; you can borrow my bike.

  1. Example

    I was starving

    As I was starving, I made myself a sandwich.

    AnswerAs I was starving, I made myself a sandwich.

  2. it's Easter Monday

  3. the carpet was brand new

  4. I'm not using it this week

  5. the sun was out

Put it together · Exercise 116.3 · part 1 of 2

What does as mean in each sentence: because, or at the same time as?

  1. Example

    As she worked nights, we hardly ever saw her.

    because

    AnswerAs she worked nights, we hardly ever saw her.

  2. Kate slipped as she was getting off the bus.

  3. As I was shattered, I went to bed early.

  4. Unfortunately, as I was parking, I hit the car behind me.

  5. As we walked along the cliff path, the wind got stronger and stronger.

Put it together · Exercise 116.3 · part 2 of 2

What does as mean in each sentence: because, or at the same time as?

  1. We decided to eat out as there was no food in the house.

  2. As we hardly ever use the car, we've decided to sell it.

Put it together · Exercise 116.4 · part 1 of 2

In some of these sentences as is wrong. Write OK, or write the correct sentence.

  1. Example

    Julia got married as she was 22.

    Julia got married when she was 22.

    AnswerJulia got married when she was 22.

  2. Example

    As the evening wore on, the room got colder.

    OK

    AnswerAs the evening wore on, the room got colder.

  3. She tripped as she was carrying the tray upstairs.

  4. I met my wife as I was at university.

  5. As I finished my degree, I had no idea what job I wanted.

  6. The plane shook as it came in to land.

Put it together · Exercise 116.4 · part 2 of 2

In some of these sentences as is wrong. Write OK, or write the correct sentence.

  1. We spent every summer in Wales as I was young.

  2. We can cycle to the lake as it's only a couple of miles.

Put it together · Exercise 116.5

Complete these sentences with your own ideas.

  1. Example

    Just as I got into the bath, ...

    Just as I got into the bath, the phone rang.

    Example answerJust as I got into the bath, the phone rang.

  2. I saw you as ...

  3. It started to rain just as ...

  4. As she doesn't have a phone, ...

  5. Just as I took the picture, ...

Lesson 116 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: like and asBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. as = at the same time as–Not checkedB. as = because–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked