as afraid as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as afraid as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of fear between two subjects or situations. Example: "She was as afraid as a child lost in a dark forest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

You'd almost think they were as afraid as Andrew.

The New York Times

"I'm still really terrified, but not as afraid as I used to be".

The New Yorker

The film starts with a striking statement from Elie Wiesel, the Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor: "Since 1945 I was not as afraid as I am now".

The New York Times

One of the children we were hosting came up to me and asked if I was just as afraid as he was.

The Guardian - Opinion

While wealthy investors may have made a lot of money and surely understand how complex the world is, they are just as afraid as anyone else of getting this choice wrong.

The New York Times

One of the achievements of this deceptively sophisticated book lies in showing how that destruction could make a group of orthodox Muslims every bit as afraid as the rest of us, albeit for very different reasons.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

None of them were nearly as afraid of him as they ought to be.

The Guardian

And I think Boris is as afraid of them as I am.

The Guardian - Books

Apparently they're not nearly as afraid of subtitles as American audiences are.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

On Sunday, she told me, "I'm not as afraid of change as I'm afraid of not changing...

The New Yorker

Each team, in its own stadium, seemed as afraid of Madrid as Real did of Barcelona in the Champions League.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as afraid as" to draw parallels in emotional states between different subjects, adding depth to your descriptions. For instance, "The experienced climber was "as afraid as" a novice when faced with the unexpected blizzard."

Common error

Avoid using "as afraid as" when you simply want to express fear without making a comparison. Instead of saying "He felt as afraid as during the storm" (incorrect), state directly: "He was afraid during the storm" (correct).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as afraid as" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to draw a parallel between the levels of fear experienced by two different entities. Ludwig indicates this phrase is valid and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as afraid as" is a comparative phrase used to equate the level of fear between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. It is commonly found in News & Media contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While phrases like "equally scared as" and "just as frightened as" serve as excellent alternatives, it's crucial to use "as afraid as" in comparative contexts and avoid it when simply expressing fear. Its frequency and presence in reputable sources underscore its reliability as a descriptive tool.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally scared as

Replaces "afraid" with "scared", maintaining the comparison of equal levels of fear.

just as frightened as

Substitutes "afraid" with "frightened", emphasizing the intensity of fear to a similar degree.

as apprehensive as

Uses "apprehensive" to convey a sense of anxiety or unease, similar to being afraid.

similarly fearful as

Emphasizes the feeling of fear in a comparable manner.

as worried as

Focuses on concern and anxiety, indicating a similar level of unease.

as anxious as

Highlights anxiety as the primary emotion, comparable to fear in certain contexts.

no less afraid than

Expresses the idea that the level of fear is not lower compared to someone or something else.

as terrified as

Replaces "afraid" with "terrified", which shows a higher level of fear intensity.

as concerned as

Shifts the focus to worry and concern rather than direct fear.

as petrified as

Uses "petrified" indicating an extreme state of fear, often leading to immobility.

FAQs

What does "as afraid as" mean?

The phrase "as afraid as" is used to compare the level of fear experienced by two different subjects. It indicates that both subjects share a similar degree of fear.

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

You can use "as afraid as" to draw a comparison between two subjects experiencing fear, for example, "The child was "as afraid as" his puppy during the thunderstorm".

What are some alternatives to "as afraid as"?

Alternatives include phrases like "equally scared as", "just as frightened as", or "similarly fearful as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "as scared as" and "as afraid as"?

While both phrases are very similar, "as scared as" might imply a more immediate or startled reaction, whereas "as afraid as" can suggest a more sustained or deeper sense of fear. The difference is subtle and depends on context.