Liveinsea  +  959007 Sun, 01 Nov 09 04:27 PM 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! Liveinsea Joined on Tue, Mar 20 2007 New Member 34 Difference Between, Clauses, Writing, Sentences

	CalifJim  +  959407 Mon, 02 Nov 09 12:51 AM 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. If the answer is yes, then what is the difference between these two patterns in the above two sentences?” Both are common and acceptable.  There is no difference in meaning.  To my ear, the first sounds a little more refined, so in my opinion, your book is right to encourage its use in preference to the other version. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,395 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Difference Between, Clauses, Writing, Sentences

	Liveinsea  +  959464 Mon, 02 Nov 09 02:26 AM Thank you very much! You are so kind! Liveinsea

	Avangi  +  959507 Mon, 02 Nov 09 03:54 AM 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 this. (Since/because he is so young, he should not be drinkng so much.) Young though he may be, he has already made his first billion.   (This is okay by my ear.) I'm wondering if the "optional as" makes a difference in this respect. Avangi Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007 Veteran Member 8,180 ". . . le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile." - Henri de Regnier

	Yankee  +  960010 Mon, 02 Nov 09 06:14 PM To me, it seems quite normal to use "young as he is" to mean "even though he is (so) young" -- i.e. concessive. To me, the addition of the word "as" to the beginning of that phrase would restrict the meaning to something similar to because/since. Just my personal two cents. Yankee Joined on Sat, Apr 15 2006 Connecticut, USA Veteran Member 6,498 Amy "You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." - Mark Twain

	CalifJim  +  960017 Mon, 02 Nov 09 06:23 PM Yankee “ the 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. CJ CalifJim

	Avangi  +  960098 Mon, 02 Nov 09 08:43 PM Thanks, guys! Avangi