[Grammar] What is the exact meaning of "as" and "had done" in this sentence?

[norae99]

What is the exact meaning of "as" and "had done" in this sentence?

Hello teachers,

I have a question about the exact meaning of "as" and "had done" in the following sentence.

"Among its effects was that composers could fix their music exactly as they wished it to be performed, as poets had long been able to set down their poems, leading them to take pride in authorship as few composers had done before the fourteenth century."

Thank you in advace.

 

[White Hat]

Re: What is the exact meaning of "as" and "had done" in this sentence?

as = like, the way, in the manner
had done = did, used to do

 

[norae99]

Re: What is the exact meaning of "as" and "had done" in this sentence?

Thank you Bennevis.

I got the meaning of "as" but I should have asked a little more specific about "had done."

Does "had done" refer to "had taken pride in authorship?"

 

[SoothingDave]

Re: What is the exact meaning of "as" and "had done" in this sentence?

Thank you Bennevis.

I got the meaning of "as" but I should have asked a little more specific about "had done."

Does "had done" refer to "had taken pride in authorship?"

Yes.

 

[norae99]

Re: What is the exact meaning of "as" and "had done" in this sentence?

Yes.

Oh I really appreciate it. Thanks.

But I have another question...

Can I use "had done so" in place of "had done" in this sentence and do they have the same meaning?

Thank you in advance

 

[White Hat]

Re: What is the exact meaning of "as" and "had done" in this sentence?

had done so - so is redundant (because you have as here)

... as few composers had done before the fourteenth century.

 

[norae99]

Re: What is the exact meaning of "as" and "had done" in this sentence?

Thank you