as about as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as about as" is not correct and is not typically used in written English.
Instead, the phrase "as much as" is commonly used in written English to mean "to the same degree or extent." Example: She likes pizza just as much as she likes pasta.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Algase rates the device as about as accurate as the MMSE.

The Washington Post

Jay Rosen describes this blogpost as "about as reassuring as a ransom note".

The Guardian - Tech

The National Pensioners Convention NPCC) described the reforms as "about as credible as a Findus lasagne".

The Guardian

A critic for The New York Times described the performance as "about as elevating as a post-mortem".

The New York Times

What Mr. Itskov is striving for makes wearable computers, like Google Glass, seem as about as futuristic as Lincoln Logs.

The New York Times

The repartee is as about as gratifying as one can expect from a typical instant-messaging chat.

The New Yorker

Graham Parker declared "I Threw It All Away" as "about as perfect a song as you can get".

The New York Times - Arts

The judge described the case as "about as bad a case of child manslaughter as there can be".

The Guardian

This is as about as much fun as you can have sitting on your couch sober with your clothes on.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Nearly two years into the Great Recession, rich people — especially the entitled, born-into-it kind — are as about as unlikable as they've been in a lifetime.

The New Yorker

Today, Bloomberg says the opposite, referring to such a tax hike as "about as dumb a policy as I can think of".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express approximation, replace the incorrect phrase "as about as" with grammatically sound alternatives such as "as nearly as" or "almost as".

Common error

Do not use "as about as" in formal writing. It is considered grammatically incorrect. Instead, choose more precise and accepted alternatives to maintain clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as about as" functions as an incorrect comparative. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically unsound, yet it's frequently used to express approximation or comparison, aiming to convey a sense of near equivalence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "as about as" appears frequently in various sources, it is deemed grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI. It's primarily used in informal contexts like news articles and general web content to express approximation or comparison. For clearer and more credible communication, particularly in formal writing, it's advisable to substitute "as about as" with grammatically correct alternatives such as "as nearly as" or "almost as".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as nearly as

This alternative corrects the grammar by replacing 'about' with 'nearly', focusing on approximation.

as close as

This expresses a similar level of approximation or closeness, but using a more grammatically correct structure.

as good as

Replaces 'about' with 'good' making it a correct comparative phrase to indicate quality or condition.

just about as

This alternative adds 'just' for emphasis, while keeping the structure grammatically sound.

almost as

This option uses 'almost' to convey a sense of near equivalence.

as much as

This version focuses on quantity or degree, providing a comparative measure.

as effective as

Specifies effectiveness as the basis for comparison, suitable when discussing results or performance.

virtually as

Implies that the comparison is true in almost every practical sense.

practically as

Indicates the comparison holds true in nearly all relevant conditions.

roughly as

Emphasizes an approximate comparison, suitable when precision is not critical.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "as nearly as", "almost as", or "just about as" depending on the context.

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

"As good as" is the correct and grammatically sound phrase. "As about as" is not standard English.

How can I avoid using "as about as" in my writing?

Always proofread your work and consider whether you're trying to convey approximation or comparison. Then, substitute with a more grammatically correct phrase like "as close as" or "as much as".

Is "as about as" ever appropriate to use?

While it appears in some informal contexts, "as about as" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to avoid it in formal or professional writing in favor of more accepted phrases.