As ... as: saying two things are the same
Short answer: Use as + adjective + as to say two things are equal: My pencil is as long as yours. Use not as ... as to say one is less: The blue box is not as big as the red box. For actions, use an adverb: She runs as fast as her brother. Use as ... as, never as ... than, and do not mix it with -er or more.
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At a glance
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| as + adjective + as | equal | My pencil is as long as yours. |
| not as + adjective + as | less than | The blue box is not as big as the red box. |
| as + adverb + as | equal actions | She runs as fast as her brother. |
| adjective + -er + than | more | A rabbit is faster than a turtle. |
In short
- as + describing word + as: the same.
- not as … as: less.
- Use one form: faster, or more carefully. Never as … than.
What is the rule for “as … as, and comparing actions”?
The rule
as + a describing word + as: the same. not as … as: less.
How it looks
as heavy as · not as big as · faster than · more carefully than
What it means
It compares two things (or two ways of doing things).
When to use it
Use it when you compare equal or unequal things.
How it works
- Compare two things that are the same: as long as, as tall as.
- Compare when the first is less: not as tall as. It means shorter.
- For actions, use the adverb: as quickly as, as well as.
- Do not use than with as ... as. Use -er or more with than instead.
Examples of “as … as, and comparing actions”
- My pencil is as long as yours.
The same length. - The blue box is not as big as the red box.
The blue box is smaller. - A rabbit runs faster than a turtle.
fast: the same word for actions. - He writes more carefully than his sister.
carefully is long: more … than. - Ben is as tall as his dad.
Equal height. - This test was not as hard as the last one.
Less hard. - She speaks English as well as her teacher.
As well as for an action. - The soup is as hot as the tea.
Equal temperature.
Common mistakes with “as … as, and comparing actions”
My bag is as heavy than yours.→ My bag is as heavy as yours.
as … as, not than.She runs more fast.→ She runs faster.
fast is short: faster.He is not as tall than me.→ He is not as tall as me.
as … as, not than.She is as taller as me.→ She is as tall as me.
In as ... as, use the basic adjective, not -er.He sings as good as his sister.→ He sings as well as his sister.
For an action, use the adverb well.
Exceptions: watch out
- good and well
For actions: She sings better than me. good → well → better.
As ... as, -er than and the same as
As ... as shows equal. -er than shows more. The same as shows exact equality with a noun.
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| as ... as | Ben is as tall as Tom. |
| -er than | Ben is taller than Tom. |
| the same as | Ben is the same height as Tom. |
See also: Comparing two things: -er and more … than
Check yourself
- Fill the gap: “My bag is as heavy ___ yours.”
Show the answer
as as ... as.
- Fix: “He is not as tall than me.”
Show the answer
He is not as tall as me. as ... as, not than.
- Fix: “She runs more fast.”
Show the answer
She runs faster. Fast is short: faster.
How to practice “as … as, and comparing actions”
The interactive version adds step-by-step help, spoken instructions and a quick check. One rule card, one sound lesson and the first lesson of every stone are free to try; the rest is part of Full Access. See Full Access.
- Practice lesson: as ... as and comparing actions
Questions
Can I use “so ... as” instead of “as ... as”?
In negatives, so ... as is old-fashioned but possible: not so tall as me. As ... as is more common.
What about “twice as ... as”?
It is a common way to compare amounts: This bag is twice as heavy as that one.
Is “as ... as” the same as “the same as”?
The meaning is close. The same as is used with nouns: the same height as, not the same tall as.
More Texts and Talk rules
- Have you ever …? Experience: have / has + the past form tells about something you did (or never did) in your life, up to now.
- already, yet, just: already, yet and just go with have / has and tell about things that happened a short time ago.
- Present perfect or past simple?: A finished time (yesterday, last week) needs the past simple. Experience up to now needs have + the past form.
- Advice and rules: should, must, have to: should gives advice. must and have to give rules. After them, use the plain action word.
- unless: unless means if not. It says what could stop something.
- Linking sentences: also, however, for example, in the end: also, however, for example and in the end connect sentences. They start a new sentence, so put a full stop before them.
Part of the 📘 Grammar tool. Level G6: Texts and Talk. Đọc bằng tiếng Việt.
Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.
Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30
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