as benign as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as benign as a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is harmless or gentle, often in a comparative context. Example: "The new policy was as benign as a gentle breeze, causing no disruption to the existing system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But this new frill is hardly as benign as a bag of pretzels.

The New York Times

In a league in which something as benign as a Monday night game can involve weeks of planning and hand-wringing, a two-game trip could be a major disruption.

The New York Times

"It was not as benign as a cops-and-robbers game," Mr. Fyffe said, although he refused to elaborate about what the students were doing, saying it would violate privacy rules.

The New York Times

Nobody figured that Clemens would hobble off the field after one inning, or that Martinez, who dominates large bat-wielding sluggers, would be conquered by something as benign as a pitch count.

The New York Times - Sports

And while jail (or gaol, as the case may be) is a harsh and brutal place, to viewers of "Oz" it may look as benign as a progressive kindergarten.

The New York Times

These moments of forced subjectivity — we are, almost literally, put in the place of a character in the film — occur in contexts as benign as a simple conversation and as menacing as an attempted rape.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

A "yes" even to a question as benign as"consider?" is enough not only to doubt their judgment, their seriousness and concern about the safety and security of the country, but more than enough to be frightened for our future.

Huffington Post

It could be as benign as, say, a white blazer whose unsoiled surface instills the wearer with an irrational fear of dirt and stains, inducing anxiety and neurosis.

Vice

Dr. Friedman Ross said that the committee members "oppose all types of female genital cutting that impose risks or physical or psychological harm," and consider the ritual nick "a last resort," but that the nick is "supposed to be as benign as getting a girl's ears pierced.

The New York Times - Health

Although I am aware that even something as benign as conducting an orchestra may have deep political ramifications, I will not publicly take a political position or align myself with one point of view or one party in Venezuela or in the United States".

The Guardian

Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, writing for the majority, ruled that a minimum three-year sentence is "grossly disproportionate" because it could conceivably apply to cases as benign as somebody inheriting a firearm before they can get a licence or a spouse breaching the regulation with her husband's gun.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as benign as a", make sure the comparison object is widely understood to be harmless or gentle to ensure the intended meaning is clearly conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "as benign as a" to describe situations that might seem harmless on the surface but could have underlying negative consequences. The phrase implies complete safety or lack of harm, so ensure this is genuinely the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as benign as a" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to emphasize the harmless or mild nature of something by comparing it to something widely recognized as harmless. Ludwig confirms the validity and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as benign as a" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to emphasize the harmlessness of something through comparison. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and highlights its presence in varied contexts, predominantly within News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison object is universally understood as harmless to accurately convey the intended meaning. While alternatives like "as harmless as a" or "as innocuous as a" exist, "as benign as a" provides a nuanced way to reassure and downplay potential concerns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as harmless as a

Replaces 'benign' with 'harmless', focusing on the lack of potential for harm.

as innocuous as a

Substitutes 'benign' with 'innocuous', emphasizing the phrase's lack of offensiveness or harmfulness.

as mild as a

Replaces 'benign' with 'mild', highlighting the phrase's gentle or moderate nature.

as gentle as a

Substitutes 'benign' with 'gentle', focusing on the phrase's kindness and lack of severity.

as tame as a

Replaces 'benign' with 'tame', suggesting a controlled and non-threatening nature.

as unthreatening as a

Uses 'unthreatening' instead of 'benign', directly stating the absence of any perceived threat.

as safe as a

Substitutes 'benign' with 'safe', focusing on the phrase's quality of being free from danger.

as painless as a

Replaces 'benign' with 'painless', emphasizing the phrase's lack of causing any discomfort or suffering.

as simple as a

Substitutes 'benign' with 'simple', focusing on the phrase's lack of complexity or difficulty.

as unproblematic as a

Replaces 'benign' with 'unproblematic', focusing on the phrase's freedom from causing problems or difficulties.

FAQs

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

You can use "as benign as a" to compare something to something widely considered harmless. For instance, "The proposed change seems "as benign as a" summer breeze, posing no real threat to the existing system."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "as harmless as a", "as innocuous as a", or "as mild as a", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Which is more appropriate, "as benign as a" or "as harmless as a"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "As benign as a" might be preferred in more formal contexts, while "as harmless as a" is generally suitable for everyday use.

What does "as benign as a" imply about the subject?

The phrase "as benign as a" implies that the subject is completely harmless, gentle, and unlikely to cause any problems or negative effects.