Grammar Tips & Articles »

As Far As

This Grammar.com article is about As Far As — enjoy your reading!


1:11 min read
11,941 Views
  Ed Good  —  Grammar Tips
Font size:

As Far As Success …

Many smart people flub the use of the subordinating conjunction as far as. Keep in mind that the expression serves as a subordinating conjunction. That is, it joins a clause. What must be in the clause to make it a clause?

Right.

A conjugated verb.

That’s the source of the flub: People leave out the necessary verb, which is often the verb is concerned.

Thus, you’ll hear people say or see people write:

As far as success, I feel sure I can make it.

In that sentence, the as far as is not a subordinating conjunction, but a preposition, the topic of the next section. Some guides allow this use in informal speech and informal writing, but I would urge you to join those who cherish the language and insist on using the expression as a subordinating conjunction:

As far as success is concerned, I feel sure I can make it.

Of course, when tempted to use the as far as expression without the required verb, you might very well want to produce the meaning of a preposition, and plenty of good ones come to mind: on, concerning, regarding, and others.

So perhaps you do mean concerning or regarding (two verb-like expressions that have transformed themselves into full-blown prepositions). If so, then say so:

Regarding success, I feel sure I can make it.

 

Previous:  3. Subordinating Conjunctions

Next: Rule of Parallel Structure

Rate this article:

Have a discussion about this article with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this article to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "As Far As." Grammar.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 3 Dec. 2024. <https://www.grammar.com/as-far-as>.

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Check your text and writing for style, spelling and grammar problems everywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Check your text and writing for style, spelling and grammar problems everywhere on the web!

    Free Writing Tool:

    Instant
    Grammar Checker

    Improve your grammar, vocabulary, style, and writing — all for FREE!


    Quiz

    Are you a grammar master?

    »
    Choose the sentence with correct use of the indefinite pronoun:
    A Everybody enjoyed the party.
    B Someone are waiting for you outside.
    C Each of the students is presenting his project.
    D Few have completed their homework on time.

    Improve your writing now:

    Download Grammar eBooks

    It’s now more important than ever to develop a powerful writing style. After all, most communication takes place in reports, emails, and instant messages.