As

Hi,

An altar is a raised structure as a mound or platform.

Is this short for ... such as a mound or...? I don't think it is, but would like to hear from others.

I would say it means 'like'.



Clive

CliveI would say it means 'like'

Hi, thanks.

Is it no different from this sentence below I have asked you to comment on?

I heard a thump as of a body falling

Hi,



At a glance, seems the same to me.



Clive

Thank you, Clive.

To enhance or decorate with or as if with ornaments

So would you say as if above could be replaced with just as, meaning like?

To enhance or decorate with or as with ornaments





Just trying to get my head around this use of as, and I know you like working with examples.

Sorry guys but I consider this use of "as" incorrect. "As" and "like" are not normally interchangeable.

The alter served as a platform. (this is ok;they used the alter as they would a platform))

but

The alter looked as a mound. (this sounds wrong to me; "like" should be used instead)

Hi,

When I said it was like 'like', I was specifically discussing the earlier examples.

An altar is a raised structure as a mound or platform.

I heard a thump as of a body falling

I certainly didbn't intend to suggest that 'as; and 'like' can always be interchanged.



Clive

Yes , I completely agree with you Clive that "as" means "like" in the original. However, I still find that usage of "as" wrong.

Hi,

To enhance or decorate with or as if with ornaments This 'as if' doesn't suggest that people actually do this with ornaments. It's hypothetical.

So would you say as if above could be replaced with just as, meaning like?

To enhance or decorate with or as with ornaments This 'as with' implies that people may actually do this with ornaments.

CliveI feel like I'm getting pushed to generalize and to take a stronger postion about this than I feel comfortable with. Let's just leave it now. Clive

Agreed.

CliveI feel like I'm getting pushed to generalize and to take a stronger postion about this than I feel comfortable with

Don't ever feel pushed. I don't judge you on your answers. I learn from them.