about as needed as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about as needed as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is not necessary or is of little value, often in a humorous or sarcastic context. Example: "The new policy is about as needed as a screen door on a submarine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Strange days indeed While we're on the subject of men, it may have escaped your attention that last Thursday was International Men's Day, a celebration, as someone on Twitter pointed out, about as needed as International White People's Day.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

For example, she taps the experience of pediatrician Elizabeth Molyneux at the University of Malawi to get ideas about what is needed, as well as honest, practical feedback on prototypes.

Science Magazine

Better knowledge, understanding and training about psoriasis among GPs is needed, as well as improved consultation skills to enable management of the condition in partnership with patients.

BMC Family Practice

Minimalism isn't having as little as possible, it's about having as little as needed.

Huffington Post

So what did we learn from young people themselves about what they need as well as want?

The Guardian - Opinion

The fact that the Shard is still filling up, is useful, according to her. "We are the main recruiters for all non-managerial jobs in the building, and can speak to companies about their staff needs as soon as they take up residence".

The Guardian

Even so, some would say that New York needs this about as much as it needs another airplane attack.

The New York Times

A good agency should communicate with you about getting as many important details as needed, and then sift through its talent database to find you the very best candidates.

WikiHow

For the sub-group of participants who reported having contact with a professional or non-professional during the past 12 months for their own mental health problem, factors associated with inadequate help, defined as answering no to the question about receiving as much help as needed, were explored using logistic regression techniques.

BMC Health Services Research

"He needed it about as badly as anybody could need it," said Sam Grossman, a real estate developer who has skied with Ms. Heinz Kerry here for decades, and with Mr. Kerry for years.

The New York Times

After all, we need high-fructose corn syrup about as much as we need tobacco.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about as needed as" to express strong disapproval or to highlight the utter lack of necessity for something, especially when aiming for a sarcastic or humorous effect. Ensure the comparison is clear and relatable to your audience for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "about as needed as" in formal or professional writing. Its informal and often sarcastic tone is generally unsuitable for serious or academic contexts, where more direct and neutral language is preferable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about as needed as" functions as an idiomatic expression to emphasize the lack of necessity or value of something, often through a comparison. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it's used to express strong disapproval or sarcasm, highlighting the utter irrelevance of the subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about as needed as" is an idiomatic phrase used to sarcastically emphasize the lack of necessity or value of something by comparing it to something equally pointless. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct but primarily suited for informal contexts, such as opinion pieces, news commentary, or casual conversations. While the phrase is not overly common, it effectively conveys disdain or humor through relatable comparisons. When using "about as needed as", consider the audience and context to ensure the tone aligns with your intended message. Overusing it in formal writing might diminish the impact and be considered inappropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly as pointless as

Directly conveys the lack of purpose or value.

just as unnecessary as

Emphasizes the lack of necessity, similar to the original phrase, but with a slightly stronger tone.

roughly as dispensable as

Highlights the replaceability and lack of essential quality of something.

scarcely more required than

Emphasizes the minimal need for something, suggesting it's barely necessary.

equally unessential to

Formally expresses the equivalent lack of importance or necessity.

virtually as skippable as

Indicates something can easily be omitted without consequence.

almost as gratuitous as

Focuses on the unwarranted or uncalled-for nature of something.

of comparable superfluity to

Uses more sophisticated language to convey the same meaning of being excessively unnecessary.

akin to the insignificance of

Draws attention to the lack of importance or consequence.

on par with the triviality of

Implies something is as insignificant and unimportant as something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "about as needed as" to express that something is unnecessary or unwanted, often in a humorous way. For example: "A new tax hike is "about as needed as" a hole in the head."

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

You can use alternatives like "just as unnecessary as", "equally unessential to", or "virtually as skippable as" depending on the context.

Is "about as needed as" a formal expression?

No, "about as needed as" is generally considered an informal expression suitable for casual conversation and less formal writing. It often carries a tone of sarcasm or humor.

When is it appropriate to use "about as needed as"?

It's appropriate to use "about as needed as" when you want to express that something is completely unnecessary and perhaps even detrimental, often with a touch of humor or sarcasm. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts.