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Let’s say I write: “Just send me these documents as is”. Is that correct? Should it be pluralised into “as are”, which sounds so wrong to me? Or are they both incorrect, in which case I may write “as they are”?

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The only strange thing about your sentence is that if you're saying "these" documents, it sounds like you already have them, so why do they need to send them to you? :) – Benjol Jan 20 '11 at 10:03
@Benjol indeed, “those documents” would be better. Thanks! – F'x Jan 20 '11 at 10:07
Just leave it "as is". – Peter Shor Apr 23 '12 at 20:03

2 Answers

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Merriam Webster's Dictionary of English Usage (see page 131) says that the phrase as is is always singular, regardless of the number of items. As are is incorrect, but there is nothing wrong with using as they are. I think as is is most commonly used to do with the sale of something. ("I bought a used car, as is.")

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"As is" can be used in comparison, for example, "a tiger is a type of cat, as is a lion." You can also pluralize it, to expand on the previous example, "tigers are cats, as are lions."

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That is not the same "as is". "As is" in this context is an idiom, a contracted form of "as it is". This "as is" cannot be replaced with "as are", because "as are" is not an accepted idiom. For instance you cannot say that you are selling two cars, "as are". – Kaz Apr 23 '12 at 16:00
Why would you add an impertinent answer to a year-plus old question? – Kaz Apr 23 '12 at 16:09

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