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Taka Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

For/as

My dictionaries say 'for' can be used as 'as':

I know it for a fact.?I know it as a fact.

However, in this kind of cases, simple replacemet doesn't really seem to work (or does it?); 'what' doesn't seem necessary.

You have to recognize stress for what it is.?You have to recognize stress as what it is.(?)?You have to recognize stress as it is.

Accept reality for what it is.?Accept reality as what it is.(?)?Accept reality as it is.

Could someone explain why not?

  

Top answer

I know it as a fact. I don't think the dictionary meant to imply that every instance of the use of 'as' can be replaced by the word 'for'. I think this dictionary remark simply means that there are times when 'for' can be used instead of 'as' without a significant change in meaning or idiomaticity.

— CalifJim

  • I know it as a fact.
  • I don't think the dictionary meant to imply that every instance of the use of 'as' can be replaced by the word 'for'.
  • I think this dictionary remark simply means that there are times when 'for' can be used instead of 'as' without a significant change in meaning or idiomaticity.
  • I don't see it as a common substitution.
  • Taka You have to recognize stress for what it is .?
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4 Answers
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TakaMy dictionaries say 'for' can be used as 'as':

I know it for a fact.?I know it as a fact.
I don't think the dictionary meant to imply that every instance of the use of 'as' can be replaced by the word 'for'. I think this dictionary remark simply means that there are times when 'for' can be used instead of 'as' without a
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CalifJimI don't think the dictionary meant to imply that every instance of the use of 'as' can be replaced by the word 'for'.
I know. I should have said 'Sometimes it can be used as 'as''.
CalifJim... recognize stress as/for what it is. ~ ... recognize stress to be the thing it is (defined to be).
Accept reality as/for what it is.
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Taka so 'as what it is' itself makes sense and sounds OK. And it means the same as 'for what it is'?
Yes. But most people are going to say 'for' there, not 'as'.

CJ
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In fact, personally, I haven't seen it, so I thought it was strange. Well, but it makes the same sense. I didn't know that.

Thanks, Jim.
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