The structure 以…为…
We can use the structure 以…为… to say phrases like: “to use this example as a hint”, “to take this product as the main one”.
The structure 以…为… 
has the meaning “to use "A" as "B"”.
has the meaning “to use "A" as "B"”.Scheme
(subject)
以
A
what do we use
为
B
what we use A as
Pay attention
以 can be followed by pronouns, nouns or noun phrases.
A noun phrase is a phrase in which the main word is a noun.
为 is most often followed by a noun.
Examples
该论文以调查而研究为基础
This thesis is based on surveys and research
gāi lùnwén yǐ diàochá ér yánjiū wèi jīchǔ
在大自然中，有的动物以死动物为食
In nature, some animals feed on dead animals
zài dà zìrán zhōng, yǒu de dòngwù yǐ sǐ dòngwù wèi shí
不用以自己为中心，还需要帮助别人
Don't only focus on yourself. You have to help others
bú yòng yǐ zìjǐ wéi zhōngxīn, hái xūyào bāngzhù biérén
这部电影以未来为背景
The film is set in the future
zhè bù diànyǐng yǐ wèilái wèi bèijǐng
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