about as large as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about as large as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the size of two objects or entities, indicating that they are similar in size. Example: "The new smartphone is about as large as the previous model, making it easy to hold and use."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such a roll was about as large as could be conveniently held in the hands to read, and it was big enough to contain a book of Thucydides or one of the longer New Testament Gospels.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most mammoths were about as large as modern elephants.

Britannica

"That was about as large as we went in terms of covering that campaign," she said.

The New York Times

Thylacosmilus was sabre-toothed and was about as large as a modern jaguar (Panthera onca).

Britannica

It's about as large as a large powder puff, and with much the same texture, being very light and soft.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The whole back half of it has been reserved for the kitchen, which is about as large as the 24-seat dining room.

The New York Times - Food

When it comes to reptile enthusiasts, the range of personality types is about as large as the number of individual species.

The New York Times

Hyundai's president, Park Jong-sup, said the proposed share purchases could be about as large as last year's profit of 200 billion won, or $178.7 million.

The New York Times

In the eighties, the Cleveland Plain Dealer's arts-and-entertainment staff was about as large as the entire newsroom is now.

The New Yorker

Back in the eighties, the paper's arts-and-entertainment staff was about as large as the entire newsroom is now: some thirty reporters and editors.

The New Yorker

Set on a site that's about as large as 37 football fields, Rem Koolhaas's television authority headquarters in Beijing may initially seem intimidating.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about as large as", ensure you're comparing tangible sizes or quantities that are easily relatable to the audience for better understanding. For instance, comparing a country's area to a well-known state.

Common error

Avoid using "about as large as" when the sizes being compared are significantly different or abstract, as this can lead to confusion and misrepresentation. Be precise to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about as large as" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating its size relative to another noun, suggesting an approximation or similarity in dimensions. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

14%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about as large as" serves as a practical tool for comparing sizes, aiming for relatable understanding rather than absolute precision. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in diverse sources from news to encyclopedias and science, indicating both its acceptability and versatility. While grammatical correct, precise comparisons should be favored to avoid confusion. This phrase effectively bridges understanding by linking unfamiliar sizes to well-known benchmarks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

roughly the size of

Indicates an approximate size comparison, simplifying the phrasing.

approximately as big as

Uses "big" instead of "large", offering a slightly less formal tone.

comparable in size to

Emphasizes the similarity in size between two things.

on par with in terms of size

More formal and emphasizes equivalence in size.

of similar dimensions to

Highlights the similarity in dimensions, which is more specific than just size.

much the same size as

Indicates a high degree of similarity in size.

nearly as expansive as

Focuses on the expansive nature of the size being compared.

almost as substantial as

Emphasizes the substantial nature of the size.

in the same ballpark as

A more informal way of saying approximately the same size.

in proportion to

Focuses on proportional size rather than absolute size.

FAQs

How can I use "about as large as" in a sentence?

You can use "about as large as" to compare the size of two different entities, like "The new building is "about as large as" the old one".

What can I say instead of "about as large as"?

Alternatives include "roughly the size of", "approximately as big as", or "comparable in size to", depending on the desired level of formality.

Which is correct, "about as large as" or "as large as"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""about as large as"" implies an approximation, while "as large as" suggests a more precise equivalence.

What's the difference between "about as large as" and "almost as large as"?

"About as large as" indicates near equivalence in size, while "almost as large as" suggests that one item is slightly smaller than the other.