as alien as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as alien as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare something to the concept of being foreign or unfamiliar, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The new technology felt as alien as trying to navigate a spaceship for the first time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Whether for sport or self-defense, Asian martial arts are about as alien as, well, glazed doughnuts.

The New York Times

It's at once as American as apple pie and as alien as another planet.

The New York Times

Yet The Straight Story is not as alien as it seems, Lynch insists.

The Guardian - Film

Moreover, the concept of counseling is not as alien as it once was.

The New York Times

A doorknob becomes as alien as a new planet, floating free of the grid.

The Guardian - Arts

In darts, the ego is as alien as it is prevalent in football.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

They should see themselves as aliens, as exiles, and yet they should see themselves as properly subservient, honorable, well behaved exiles in a Roman context.

Yale University

QUESTION FROM FRED: Will Prometheus be as good as Alien?

The New Yorker

Others, such as Protestantism, count as alien and therefore threatening.

The Economist

As well as Alien and Bonnie and Clyde she watched Psycho "a million times".

Independent

But he is not nearly as "alien" in Congress as his aides insist that he is.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as alien as" to vividly illustrate the feeling of unfamiliarity or foreignness. It is particularly effective when comparing something abstract to a concrete, easily understandable example.

Common error

While "as alien as" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or scientific writing. More precise and technical language might be more appropriate in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as alien as" functions as a comparative simile, used to emphasize the strangeness or unfamiliarity of something by likening it to something perceived as utterly foreign or unknown. Ludwig shows how frequently the phrase is used to make complex ideas more accessible by comparing them to common experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as alien as" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to express a strong sense of unfamiliarity or otherness through simile. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to informal register. The Ludwig AI confirms this. When writing, consider the audience and context to determine if a more precise or formal alternative might be more suitable. Otherwise, "as alien as" effectively communicates a sense of something being foreign or unknown by comparing it to a well-understood concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as foreign as

Replaces "alien" with "foreign", emphasizing a sense of being from another place or culture.

as strange as

Uses "strange" instead of "alien", highlighting the unusual or peculiar nature of something.

as unfamiliar as

Emphasizes the lack of knowledge or experience with something.

as unusual as

Focuses on the uncommon or atypical aspect of something.

as otherworldly as

Suggests something that seems to belong to another world or dimension.

completely unknown like

Highlights the complete absence of familiarity or understanding.

like a different universe

Emphasizes the vast difference and lack of connection to something.

resembles nothing familiar

Indicates that something has no resemblance to anything known.

unrecognized as something real

Highlights the quality of not being identified or acknowledged as authentic.

seems to come from another dimension

Indicates something very unusual and from a different world.

FAQs

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

You can use "as alien as" to compare something unfamiliar or strange to something that is widely recognized or understood. For example, "The concept of cryptocurrency was "as alien as" rocket science to my grandparents."

What are some alternatives to "as alien as"?

Alternatives to "as alien as" include "as foreign as", "as strange as", or "as unfamiliar as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "as alien as" suitable for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "as alien as" might be considered too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using more precise or technical language if appropriate.

How does the meaning of "as alien as" differ from "foreign" or "unfamiliar"?

While similar, "alien" often carries a stronger sense of otherness or disconnect than simply "foreign" or "unfamiliar". "As alien as" suggests a feeling of being completely outside one's experience, whereas "foreign" or "unfamiliar" may simply indicate a lack of prior knowledge.