'AS needed' what does this mean?

[Duc]

Hello everyone :) ,

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 ? :)

PS: (to Yankee :D ) Do you find my writing alright? :D
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Don't see your shade think you are great

[Mister Micawber]

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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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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Duc]

So what is the meaning of the word ''as'' according to your new full form of the sentence?
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Don't see your shade think you are great

[Mister Micawber]

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to such a degree or extent
.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Duc]

Well I don't see this meaning in my dictionary :cry:
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Don't see your shade think you are great

[Duc]

Can you give me a clearer explanation
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Don't see your shade think you are great

[Mister Micawber]

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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]

thank you :wink: :lol: :D
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Don't see your shade think you are great

[Duc]

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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Don't see your shade think you are great