ENGLISH
REFERENCE

as to sth

prep. phr..
C1 Advanced Oxford

prep. phr.. you use this when you want to talk about or refer to a specific subject. It is a more formal way of saying 'about' or 'concerning'.

prep. phr.. a compound preposition used to introduce a topic or to specify the subject matter being discussed; often functions as a formal alternative to 'regarding' or 'about'.


SIMPLE

I have no information as to his whereabouts.

CONTEXTUAL

The committee was undecided as to whether they should approve the new budget proposal.

COMPLEX

There remains considerable debate among historians as to the exact causes of the empire's sudden collapse.

Usage

frequently precedes a noun phrase or a 'whether' clause in formal writing.

Teaching tip

advise students to use this sparingly in speech; it is most effective in academic or legal writing to introduce a specific point of inquiry.

Pitfall

He asked as to if I was coming.He asked as to whether I was coming.the phrase 'as to' is typically followed by 'whether' rather than 'if' in formal contexts.

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