As long as

There are 3 meanings if "as long as" is used to be an idiom, and it's also the same as "so long as":


1. During the time that; through the period that

ex. 
      As long as we were neighbors, they never invited us inside their house.
(They never invited us inside their house during the time that we were neighbors.)

      You may keep the book as long as you want.
(Keep it for whatever time you wish to.)

      I'll stay as long as you need me.
(In the period that you need me, I will stay.)


2. Since;because;seeing that

ex.
     Please pick up some milk as long as you are going to the store.
(Since you are going to the store, you can pick up some milk.)

      So long as you're here, you might as well stay for dinner.
(You're here now so you might as well stay for dinner.)

      As long as you're going to the grocery anyway, buy me a pint of ice cream.

(Because you're going to the grocery, you can buy me a pint of ice cream in your convience.)

3. Provided that;on the condition that

ex.

     So long as sales are greater than returns, the company will make a profit.

(If sales are greater than returns, the company will make a profit.)

 

 

      I will cooperate as long as I am notified on time.
(I will cooperate if I am notified on time.)

      As long as you can come by six, I'll be here.
(On the condition that you can come by six, I will be here.)


"As long as" also can express the adjective "long" in a phrase:

ex.   This straw is as long as my pen.
(The length of straw and pen is equal.)


                                                                                 By Sandra