Usage of Idiom -- "AS....AS" versus "SO...AS"

Question

I need clarification regarding use of Idiom "As..As" and "So..as" Source-Manhattan Correct: Cheese is as great as people say Incorrect: Cheese is so great as people say I am unable to identify why SO.. AS is incorrect And I am able to logically infer that AS...AS is correct please help

bb generis GMATNinja AjiteshArun egmat VeritasKarishma ReedArnoldMPREP Thanks in advance

priyanshu14 · Answer

Dear Team, 
Please support to revert on above question.
Also, I have follow up question:
Correct- His knowledge springs NOT SO MUCH from experience AS from schooling.
I will like to know if below is also correct:
His knowledge springs Not as much from experience as from schooling

PyjamaScientist · Answer

Hey Priyanshu,

I think you have understood the  AS.. AS  but have difficulty with the  SO..AS TO..   Construction.

First of all my advice would be not to by-heart these idioms as the "meaning" is the king. Understand the meaning first  so as to  solve the question correctly. See what I did there?

Coming to your query,  SO.. AS TO  is the acceptable form in my opinion. So   as to   can be used to mean "so that" or ~"with the result that" (~the outcome of something).

( quoting  VeritasKarishma  )
 so that  shows purpose - I will go tomorrow so that she can join me.
Purpose of going tomorrow - she can join

so as to  shows purpose too - I am planning to move so as to be closer to my parents' house.
Purpose of moving - to be closer to my parents' house.

so ... that ...  - shows cause and effect - The bracelet was so expensive that I could not afford it.
Cause - very expensive, Effect - I cannot afford

so ... as to ...  shows cause and effect too - The hurricane was so devastating as to leave nothing standing.
Cause - devastating hurricane, Effect - Nothing left standing

Here's an OG question to try your hand on:  https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-emperor-augustus-it-appears-commissioned-an-idealized-sculpture-82984.html#p621827

ReedArnoldMPREP · Answer

Think  PyjamaScientist  got the first part of your question covered.

Regarding your next question:

I believe the second form is not correct.

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi  priyanshu14 ,

So... as  is an acceptable replacement for  as... as  in negative structures.

1.  This question is  as  difficult  as  the previous question.

2.  This question is  not   so  difficult  as  the previous question.

As... as  can also be used in negative structures.

3.  This question is  not   as  difficult  as  the previous question.

I don't think the GMAT will force us to choose between (2) and (3), but if it did, I'd prefer (3).

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Incorrect: Cheese is so great as people say

Might be helpful to see a correct usage (below) and to compare:

John is SO strong THAT people talk about him all over the world.

Usage of Idiom -- "AS....AS" versus "SO...AS"

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