as artificial as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as artificial as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare something to another thing that is not natural or is man-made, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "Her smile was as artificial as the plastic flowers in the vase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"The solution has to be as artificial as the place.

The New York Times

Dyed hair looks as artificial as a toupee, she concludes, whereas gray suggests candor.

The New York Times

O-Town is a shrewdly devised commercial product, as artificial as real people can be.

The New York Times

Behold Building 1, whose design is as artificial as the island underneath it.

The New York Times

Roberts's characters are less repressed now, but their forwardness can seem as artificial as their modesty used to.

The New Yorker

Victoria Stewart's drama "Live Girls" makes a forceful case that reality-based theater can be as artificial as reality television.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

This is why many people dismiss Dubai as artificial or as lacking a strong urban fabric.

The Guardian

The first duty in life is to be as (artificial, amusing, sincere) as possible.

The New York Times

He also has convened meetings with tech executives at the White House on issues such as artificial intelligence as well as math and science education.

The Washington Post

Computer science encompasses the study of both artificial as well as natural phenomena.

Harvard University

Must be excited about Cognitive Development as well as artificial intelligence research!

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as artificial as" to draw a comparison that highlights the non-natural or contrived nature of something. This construction is effective for adding emphasis and imagery to your writing.

Common error

Be mindful of the connotations of "artificial". While it often implies something negative (fake, unnatural), it can also describe something ingeniously created. Ensure the context makes your intended meaning clear. The meaning depends on the item you are comparing it to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as artificial as" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe something by comparing its degree of artificiality to something else, suggesting that it shares a similar level of being non-natural or contrived. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as artificial as" is a common and grammatically sound comparative phrase used to emphasize a lack of naturalness or authenticity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally correct and widely used. Predominantly found in news and media, with supporting instances in scientific and academic contexts, the phrase serves to draw comparisons that highlight the contrived or manufactured nature of a subject. When using the phrase, be mindful of the negative connotations associated with "artificial", and consider alternative expressions like "as fake as" or "as contrived as" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as fake as

Uses the common term "fake" to describe something that is not real or genuine.

every bit as unnatural as

Replaces "artificial" with "unnatural", directly contrasting with what is found in nature.

just as fabricated as

Replaces "artificial" with "fabricated", emphasizing the constructed or manufactured nature of something.

equally as synthetic as

Substitutes "artificial" with "synthetic", highlighting the non-natural, man-made quality.

every bit as contrived as

Replaces "artificial" with "contrived", focusing on the deliberate and planned aspect of being unnatural.

just as simulated as

Emphasizes the imitative or replicated nature of something, akin to artificiality.

equally as imitation as

Replaces "artificial" with "imitation", focusing on the fact that something is a copy and not genuine.

as bogus as

Uses the informal term "bogus" to convey a sense of inauthenticity.

as much of a sham as

Replaces "artificial" with "sham", highlighting the deceptive or false nature of something.

just as cosmetic as

Replaces "artificial" with "cosmetic", implying a superficial alteration or enhancement.

FAQs

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

You can use "as artificial as" to compare something's unnatural or contrived quality to another thing. For example: "The politician's smile was "as artificial as" the plastic flowers on the table."

What's a good substitute for "as artificial as"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "as fake as", "as contrived as", or "as synthetic as". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of being non-natural.

Is it always negative to describe something as "artificial"?

Not necessarily. While "artificial" can suggest something is fake or inferior, it can also imply clever design or ingenuity, especially in technical contexts. The connotation largely depends on what is being described.

What are some common things to compare with "as artificial as"?

Common comparisons include artificial flowers, manufactured products, staged emotions, and contrived situations. For example: "The movie set was "as artificial as" a Hollywood soundstage."