'AS needed' what does this mean?

Duc · #1 (permalink) Tue Jan 29, 2008 5:22 am *'AS needed' what does this mean?*

Hello everyone Smile

,

Today I read in my book a very strange sentence (maybe strange to me).Here it is:

''People invent new words,borrow words from other languages and change meaning of word as needed.''

I don't understand why we use ''as needed'' in this sentence because the subject here is ''people'' and as far as I know we have to use ''needing'' instead of ''needed'' (passive to active).I think the phrase '' as needed'' modifies ''people''.
Am I right ? Smile

PS: (to Yankee Very Happy

) Do you find my writing alright? Very Happy

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Mister Micawber · #2 (permalink) Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:20 am *'AS needed' what does this mean?*

.
No, it is a passive. A fuller form would be:

People invent new words, borrow words from other languages and change meanings of words as [such changes/inventions/borrowings are] needed [by them]
.
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Duc · #3 (permalink) Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:41 am *'AS needed' what does this mean?*

So what is the meaning of the word ''as'' according to your new full form of the sentence?
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Mister Micawber · #4 (permalink) Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:44 am *'AS needed' what does this mean?*

.
to such a degree or extent
.
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Duc · #5 (permalink) Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:49 am *'AS needed' what does this mean?*

Well I don't see this meaning in my dictionary Crying or Very sad

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Duc · #6 (permalink) Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:50 am *'AS needed' what does this mean?*

Can you give me a clearer explanation
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Mister Micawber · #7 (permalink) Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:25 am *'AS needed' what does this mean?*

.
4. in the manner (directed, agreed, promised, etc.): She sang as promised. He left as agreed.

6. (without antecedent) in the degree, manner, etc., of or that: She's good as gold. Do as we do.

These are a couple of the most appropriate definitions at DICTIONARY.COM.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

Duc · #8 (permalink) Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:50 am *'AS needed' what does this mean?*

thank you

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Duc · #9 (permalink) Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:44 am *'AS needed' what does this mean?*

Oh after I have just looked up the word ''as'' in the dictionary you tell me, I find that it is used in this sentence as an adverb but not as a conjuction.
It is so strange , isn't it?
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