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Liveinsea Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

As young as he is, he has already mastered three foreign languages?

My grammar book tells that when the word "as" is used as a conjunctive in the concessive clause, the exact following pattern should be followed (no other pattern else):
(1) Young as he is, he has already mastered three foreign languages.
But I also have met the following sentence:
(2) As young as he is, he has already mastered three foreign languages.
My question is whether the pattern involving the word "as" in sentence (2) is also common and acceptable in English. If the answer is yes, then what is the difference between these two patterns in the above two sentences?
Thank you very much!
  

Top answer

Liveinsea My grammar book tells says that when the word "as" is used as a conjunctive in the concessive clause, the exact following pattern should be followed (no other pattern else ): (1) Young as he is, he has already mastered three foreign languages. But I also have met run across the following sentence: (2) As young as he is, he has already mastered three foreign languages. My question is whether the pattern involving the word "as" in sentence (2) is also common and acceptable in English.

— CalifJim

  • Liveinsea My grammar book tells says that when the word "as" is used as a conjunctive in the concessive clause, the exact following pattern should be followed (no other pattern else ): (1) Young as he is, he has already mastered three foreign languages.
  • But I also have met run across the following sentence: (2) As young as he is, he has already mastered three foreign languages.
  • My question is whether the pattern involving the word "as" in sentence (2) is also common and acceptable in English.
  • Both are common and acceptable.
  • There is no difference in meaning.
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9 Answers
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LiveinseaMy grammar book tells says that when the word "as" is used as a conjunctive in the concessive clause, the exact following pattern should be followed (no other pattern else):
(1) Young as he is, he has already mastered three foreign languages.
But I also
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Thank you very much! You are so kind!
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Something bothers me about the example - perhaps my lack of exposure.

[As] young as he is, he has already mastered three foreign languages.

I'm used to hearing this introductory phrase leading to a cautionary, not some statement of praise.

Young as he is, he should not be drinking so much.
Young as he is, he hasn't the experience to tackle a job like
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To me, it seems quite normal to use "young as he is" to mean "even though he is Emotion: football young" -- i.e. concessive.

To me, the
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Yankeethe addition of the word "as" to the beginning of that phrase would restrict the meaning to something similar to because/since.
Hmm. Interesting. That nuance goes right over my head! I can 'sort of' see it, though.

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Liveinsea: Yankee may have hit the nail on the head. One very good grammar book gives these two examples: (1) Young though his is, Mewbanks holds a responsible position. = clause of concession = Though he is young, Mewbanks .... (2) As hot as I am, I think I would rather have the lemonade. = clause of cause and degree.
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Thank you so much! All of you!
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Anonymous = clause of concession
= clause of cause and degree. Grateful as I am to the cataloguers when I need a catalogue, I'm often reminded that giving something a name doesn't always legitimize it.

But I think your point is good here, Anon.
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