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Is "is" optional in the following? Do a and b have practically the same meaning? Do the as's have the same meaning in the three sentences?
a. You can use portions of the text as (is) permitted by law.
b. As (is) permitted by law, you can use portions of the text.
c. As (is) well known, the country is rich in oil.
I'd appreciate your help.
The reason why your first two examples are written...
You can use portions of the text as is permitted by law.
... is because the law may not permit using portion of the text at all.
If it simply said "as permitted by law" it could be interpreted that the law definitely permits it. For comparison, if you read that an item of clothing was "as worn by celebritites" it is a statement of fact.
"The law" is ambiguous too. If this was specific to a particular country or state then it could reference a specific law, but as written this statement could be intended for a wider audience, because by saying "*as is permitted by law" you are placing onus on the reader to check what the law permits or does not permit.
Your third example is slightly different:
As is well known, the country is rich in oil.
This is more idiomatic and is just an alternative way of saying "It is well known that....". There really is no difference in meaning, except that the emphasis is on a different part of the statement. In my alternative example, the focus is on the fact that this information is well known; whereas in your example the phrasing is more focused on the country's oil wealth and the fact it is well known seems like an interesting aside.
a. You can use portions of the text as (is) permitted by law.
1) You can use them as ||is permitted|| by law. 2) You can use them as ||permitted|| by law. 3) You can use them as the law permits. [active]
1) and 2) mean the same thing. They just reflect different parses, both of which come from an implied passive.
b. As (is) permitted by law, you can use portions of the text.
See above. The same analysis would apply.
c. As (is) well known [by people], the country is rich in oil.
The implied passive is the same as in the other sentences. "As is" and "as" basically are the same thing. It depends on whether you choose to include the is/are portion of the implied passive.
As is well known [by everybody] = As well known [by everybody]
There is no difference in meaning. as here means "when considered in a specified form or relation" and is used before a participle or preposition. Definition from: Merriam Webster- as
As are given in the index, all the items are plural.
1) As are given in the index 2) As given in the index
Same thing.
