As

Question

Hi."William Hague, the foreign secretary, said that the UK and its European Union allies would support a new government "as and when it is formed" and urged politicians in Ukraine to work together." [From The Guardian.]What is the meaning of "as" in the clause "as and when it is formed"?I think that "as" is a conjunction here which precedes another one "and" but I can't understand what the "as and" stands for.Thank you.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Anonymous"as and when it is formed"

- as it is formed and when it is formed.

In this context, "as it is formed" means "while it is being formed."
Supposedly, the new government will be "formed" in stages. The UK and EU will support each stage as its formation is completed.
Perhaps you could say that they'll support the people who are forming the new government while they are working on each stage; and they will support the new laws as each one is passed.
My understanding from what I hear on the news is that the new laws are being put into effect as soon as they're written.

"As it is formed" could also be interpreted to mean that the UK and EU will support the new laws "in the way they are written," and not attempt to influence or change the process. But I personally interpret "as it is formed" to mean "while it is being formed."

Imantaghavi · Answer

Hi,
As it is formed and when it is formed.

Cheers

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you, Avangi and Imantaghavi, for your useful replies.

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