As overwhelming as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "As overwhelming as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the intensity or impact of one thing to another, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The workload this semester is as overwhelming as the last-minute rush before finals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As overwhelming as Palmer and the offense were, Southern Cal's defense was just as stifling.

The New York Times - Sports

As overwhelming as the projected growth in school enrollment appears over the 21st century, it is, by percentage, smaller than that over the last 100 years.

The New York Times

As overwhelming as that all seemed, and Johnette Howard helps explain on ESPN.com how deeply that's a part of British character, it's also a front, behind which joy and pride are waiting, if not necessarily expecting, to leap out.

The New York Times - Sports

As overwhelming as my own plans sound to me right now, that is exactly what I asked for: a college experience that will push me to reach my goals.

The New York Times

As overwhelming as this list is, it is by no means exhaustive.

Huffington Post

As overwhelming as homelessness is, it's important to remember that it's possible to see it come to an end.

Huffington Post

So it isn't as overwhelming as some people may feel.

The Guardian

Media culture today is as overwhelming as book culture was in Trow's Exeter days.

The New Yorker

President Rouhani's election last summer was as overwhelming as it was surprising.

Independent

The rest of the symphony is fine, but not as overwhelming as the first movement.

The New Yorker

But the numbers aren't nearly as overwhelming as you might have imagined, given the usual rhetoric.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "As overwhelming as" to vividly portray a situation or feeling that is difficult to manage or process due to its intensity or scale. For example, "The amount of information was as overwhelming as trying to drink from a firehose."

Common error

Avoid using "As overwhelming as" to compare elements that are not appropriately matched in terms of intensity or scale. This can weaken the impact of your statement and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "As overwhelming as" functions as a comparative conjunction. It connects two elements, highlighting that they share a similar quality of being intense, difficult to manage, or causing a feeling of being overloaded. Ludwig examples showcase its use in comparing feelings, situations, or entities based on their impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

5%

Huffington Post

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Vice

1%

BBC

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "As overwhelming as" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to draw comparisons of intensity or magnitude between two elements. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it maintains a neutral register, its effectiveness lies in creating vivid and impactful descriptions. Remember to use it when the elements being compared share a genuine similarity in their overwhelming nature, and explore alternatives like "equally as staggering as" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Just as overpowering as

Emphasizes a strong, almost irresistible force or effect, akin to "As overwhelming as".

Equally as staggering as

Highlights something being impressively large or shocking to a comparable degree.

No less formidable than

Indicates something is equally capable of inspiring fear or respect, similar to being overwhelming.

As intensely impactful as

Focuses on the powerful effect something has, paralleling the idea of being overwhelming.

Comparably as crushing as

Emphasizes the disheartening or oppressive nature, like feeling overwhelmed.

As intensely consuming as

Highlights the all-encompassing nature, much like feeling overwhelmed.

Equally as daunting as

Expresses the challenge of something being intimidating to a comparable level.

As severely affecting as

Focuses on the significant impact something has, akin to being overwhelming.

Just as intensely concentrated as

Indicates a powerful focus, not different from something that may feel overwhelming.

No less all-encompassing than

Similar to "as intensely consuming as", expresses the idea of something taking all your attention.

FAQs

How can I use "As overwhelming as" in a sentence?

Use "As overwhelming as" to draw a comparison between two things that evoke a similar feeling of being difficult to handle or manage due to their intensity. For example, "The number of tasks seemed "as overwhelming as" climbing a mountain".

What are some alternatives to "As overwhelming as"?

Alternatives include "equally as staggering as", "just as overpowering as", or "no less formidable than". These phrases offer similar ways to describe something as intensely impactful or difficult as something else.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "As overwhelming as"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "As overwhelming as" at the beginning of a sentence, particularly when setting up a comparative clause. For instance, "As overwhelming as the task seemed, she persevered".

What's the difference between "As overwhelming as" and "As intense as"?

"As overwhelming as" specifically refers to a feeling of being overloaded or unable to cope, while "As intense as" refers to a high degree of emotion or sensation. You might say, "The heat was "as intense as" a furnace", but "The amount of work was "as overwhelming as" a tidal wave".