as bad as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as bad as a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare something negatively to another thing, often in a figurative or idiomatic sense. Example: "The weather today is as bad as a stormy night, making it impossible to go outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is about as bad as a gangland can be.

The Economist

The performance was as bad as a poor bouillabaisse.

The New York Times - Sports

Is some white bread as bad as a candy bar?

The Washington Post

It is not considered as bad as a soft course.

The New York Times - Sports

Almost as bad as a film ending in a courtroom scene.

The New Yorker

Shaking or nodding the head was as bad as a no to them.

The New Yorker

SARAH GREEN CARMICHAEL: A sin of omission is not as bad as a sin of commission.

Harvard Business Review

"Many times, sitting out is as bad as a player trying to play through it.

The New York Times - Sports

Greg Anthony added: "We're not feeling as bad as a lot of people think.

The New York Times - Sports

"They were not as bad as a year ago or two years ago.

The New York Times - Sports

"You're as bad as a cabinet minister," complained Justin Webb, presenting.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as bad as a", ensure that the comparison is clear and the object of comparison is easily understood by the reader to avoid ambiguity. Be specific about what you are comparing to create a stronger image.

Common error

Avoid using "as bad as a" in situations where a more nuanced description is needed. Overuse can weaken your writing; consider using more precise adjectives to convey the degree of negativity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as bad as a" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to express that something is equally negative or undesirable as something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

19%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as bad as a" is a common and grammatically sound construction used for comparison, indicating that something is equally negative or undesirable as something else. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's essential to ensure that the comparison is clear and relevant to avoid weakening your writing. Consider using more precise adjectives for a more nuanced description. Remember that you can use alternatives such as "just as terrible as", or "equally awful as" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as terrible as

Emphasizes the severity, using a synonym for 'bad'.

equally awful as

Highlights the equivalence in unpleasantness.

every bit as dreadful as

Adds intensity to the comparison, stressing the complete equality of the negative quality.

no better than

Expresses a lack of improvement relative to the comparison point.

as dreadful as

Uses a more formal synonym for "bad".

as awful as

Offers a direct synonym for "bad" without altering the structure.

as horrible as

Indicates a strong feeling of dislike or revulsion.

as pathetic as

Highlights the inadequacy or inferiority of something.

as dire as

Implies a sense of urgency or extreme seriousness in the negative comparison.

on par with

Indicates that something is equally bad or negative.

FAQs

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

Use "as bad as a" to compare the negativity or severity of something to another thing. For example: "The traffic today was "as bad as a nightmare"."

What are some alternatives to "as bad as a"?

You can use phrases like "just as terrible as", "equally awful as", or "no better than" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "as worse as a" instead of "as bad as a"?

No, "as worse as a" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "as bad as a" because "bad" is the base adjective form.

What's the difference between "as bad as a" and "worse than"?

"As bad as a" implies a comparison of equal negativity, while "worse than" indicates that one thing is more negative than the other. Example: "This movie is "as bad as a disaster"" (equal), versus "This movie is worse than the book" (unequal).