are not as good as

USAGE SUMMARY

'are not as good as' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are comparing two things, e.g. "My cooking skills are not as good as my mom's."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The results are not as good as we would like.

The New York Times

The GDP numbers are not as good as hoped.

The Guardian

They are not as good as the Italians.

The Guardian

"Of course we are not as good as Germany.

The Guardian - Sport

The gags are not as good as the choreography, though.

The New Yorker

Training programs are not as good as summer programs.

The New York Times - Sports

"Some doctors are not as good as others.

Independent

Some of them are not as good as others.

The New York Times

Year in, year out, we learn that our players are not as good as the French; they are not as good as the Germans.

The Guardian

"Chelsea are not as good as they were, Manchester United are not as good as they were … Tottenham are getting closer.

The Guardian - Sport

But as yet supercapcitors are not as good as batteries in storing energy.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are not as good as", ensure you clearly define what aspects are being compared to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, specify whether you are comparing quality, performance, or value.

Common error

Avoid using "are not as good as" without providing specific reasons or evidence. Back up your comparison with details to make your statement more credible and informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not as good as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, indicating that something is of lower quality, effectiveness, or desirability compared to something else. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are not as good as" is a common and grammatically correct way to express comparison, indicating that something is inferior to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, scientific articles, and formal business communications. When using this phrase, it's important to provide specific reasons or details to support your comparison and avoid ambiguity. While acceptable in formal writing, more precise alternatives may be preferable in academic or technical contexts to enhance clarity and sophistication. The frequency of this phrase indicates its versatility and broad applicability in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do not measure up to

Emphasizes a failure to reach a certain standard or expectation.

are inferior to

Highlights a lower quality or status compared to something else.

are worse than

Indicates a lower quality or less desirable outcome.

cannot compare to

Shows that something is so much better that comparison is difficult.

are not in the same league as

Highlights a significant difference in ability or quality.

do not hold a candle to

Implies a vast difference in quality, with the subject being much worse.

pale in comparison to

Indicates that something seems insignificant when compared to something else.

are a far cry from

Shows that something is very different from what is expected or desired.

are no match for

Suggests that something is easily defeated or outclassed.

lack the quality of

Focuses on the missing attributes that make something else superior.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "are not as good as"?

You can use alternatives like "do not measure up to", "are inferior to", or "are worse than" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "are not as good as" in formal writing?

Yes, "are not as good as" is acceptable in formal writing, but consider using more precise alternatives like "do not measure up to" or "are inferior to" for added clarity and sophistication.

What's the difference between "are not as good as" and "are worse than"?

While both phrases indicate that one thing is of lower quality than another, "are worse than" suggests a more significant difference. "Are not as good as" implies a smaller difference, whereas "are worse than" suggests something of a lower degree.

How do I use "are not as good as" in a sentence?

Use "are not as good as" to compare the quality, effectiveness, or other attributes of two things. For example: "Their products "are not as good as" their competitors" or "The results "are not as good as" expected."