as a crow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a crow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to draw a comparison or illustrate a point related to crows, often in a metaphorical or idiomatic sense. Example: "She was as clever as a crow, always finding a way to solve problems that others couldn't."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And Cole Porter's "I'm in Love Again" was delivered as a crow of triumph.

The New York Times - Arts

There might be a trumpet player dressed as a crow or drumsticks that glow red in the dark.

The Guardian - Music

I lost a wife once, and once is as many times as a crow can lose a wife.

The Guardian - Books

He hit a shot as straight as a crow flies, watched it roll toward a flag 250 yards away and muttered, "I almost whiffed that one".

The New York Times - Sports

We found the thrush, nearly as black as a crow, with a streak of blue across its head, sitting in a tree, just below a woodpecker.

The New York Times - Travel

"His body was cold as ice and thin as a crow," said Mr. Baais, producing a flush of photographs that showed an emaciated corpse with long, scarlet welts across the back.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

There were two of her, but both were hopping around in as miserable a crow step as a white woman.

The New Yorker

The video identifies the bird as both a crow and a raven.

Huffington Post

Was there ever such an unruffled problem solver as Corvus moneduloides, a crow that lives in the forests of New Caledonia?

The Guardian - Opinion

You've described your songs as something like a crow's nest, with a lot of stray items tucked into them, plugging the holes.

The New York Times

"You can hitch a ride with a crow as it flies through the forest and it does its thing". Altogether, the pair was able to retrieve 10 of the 19 cameras.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as a crow", consider the specific characteristic or behavior of crows you're referencing to ensure the comparison is apt and vivid. For example, "as observant as a crow" effectively conveys keen awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "as the crow flies" literally. This idiom refers to the shortest distance between two points, disregarding obstacles. Don't use it when describing a winding or indirect route.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a crow" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase used to create comparisons. As exemplified by Ludwig, it modifies nouns or verbs, adding descriptive detail. It can also feature in the common idiom "as the crow flies", indicating direct distance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a crow" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase used for comparisons or within the idiom "as the crow flies". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media. Its purpose is to draw parallels with crow-like attributes or to indicate a direct, straight-line distance. While generally neutral, its formality shifts slightly based on context. Be mindful of using "as the crow flies" idiomatically rather than literally and leveraging the unique characteristics of crows to strengthen comparative descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

like a crow

Simple substitution maintaining core meaning; direct comparison.

as the crow flies

Idiomatic use for direct, straight-line distance.

in the manner of a crow

More formal phrasing emphasizing method or style.

similarly to a crow

Focuses on shared characteristics or behavior.

in crow-like fashion

Highlights a specific mode or style associated with crows.

resembling a crow

Emphasizes visual or behavioral similarities.

as crows do

Implies actions or behaviors typical of crows.

following the path of a crow

Emphasizes direction or course of action.

with crow-like precision

Highlights accuracy and purposefulness.

like the flight of a crow

Specific to movement, direction, and navigation.

FAQs

How can I use "as a crow" in a sentence?

You can use "as a crow" to make comparisons related to crow-like behavior or characteristics. For instance, "She was "as clever as a crow"", or in the idiom "as the crow flies" to indicate the shortest distance.

What does "as the crow flies" mean?

The phrase "as the crow flies" refers to the shortest distance between two points, measured in a straight line, disregarding any obstacles or conventional routes.

What is a synonym for "as the crow flies"?

A synonym for "as the crow flies" is "in a straight line". Both phrases describe the most direct route or distance between two locations.

Is it correct to say "like a crow" instead of "as a crow"?

Yes, "like a crow" and "as a crow" are often interchangeable for making comparisons. Both phrases indicate a similarity to the qualities or actions of a crow, but "as a crow" might sound more formal in certain contexts.