as crude as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as crude as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare something to a crude or unrefined standard, often in a negative context. Example: "His comments were as crude as they come, lacking any sense of decorum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

We find that for two crude oils, designated as Crude AS and Crude AH, immersed in synthetic sea water, the interface behaves primarily elastically and that the more asphaltenic the oil the stronger is the interfacial elasticity.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

That car was also as crude as a strip-club bouncer and roughly as classy.

The New York Times

The results that I got, as crude as they are, seemed interesting, so I posted them.

The Economist

The timing of the announcement was as crude as the symbolism of its content.

Independent

It can be as crude as you like - the important thing is that you have some sort of plan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sneering trombone glissandos in Mime's "Verfluchtes Licht" sequence, in "Siegfried," were nearly as crude as Castorf's crocodiles.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

He showed his country folk as cruel, foolish and crude, as well as hard-working and long-suffering.

The Guardian - Arts

The four advisers are as crude and slovenly as the Fab Five are sophisticated and sleek.

The New York Times - Arts

"What I've seen, has been extremely crude as far as quality," he wrote, and the drone "looks pretty tough to operate".

Vice

Crude as well as adjusted hazard ratios will be calculated.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Crude as well as gender- and age-specific incidence rates for each cancer site were derived.

Cancer Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as crude as" to effectively compare something to a baseline of simplicity or lack of refinement, often to highlight a deficiency or negative quality.

Common error

Avoid using "as crude as" in highly formal or professional writing where a more nuanced or sophisticated comparison might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "simplistic" or "unrefined" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as crude as" functions as a comparative phrase, used to draw a comparison between something and a standard of crudeness or lack of refinement. It typically modifies a noun or adjective, highlighting a deficiency or lack of sophistication, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as crude as" is a common and grammatically correct comparative expression used to highlight a lack of refinement, skill, or sophistication. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is primarily used in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias, often carrying a critical or disparaging tone. Alternatives like "as rough as" or "as unrefined as" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience to ensure the phrase aligns with the desired level of formality. The best practice is to use "as crude as" when you want to emphasize the simplicity of something in a critical way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as rough as

Emphasizes the lack of refinement or smoothness.

as unrefined as

Focuses on the lack of processing or purification.

as unsophisticated as

Highlights the lack of complexity or worldly knowledge.

as basic as

Indicates a fundamental or elementary level.

as primitive as

Suggests an early or undeveloped state.

as vulgar as

Emphasizes a lack of taste or decorum.

as coarse as

Highlights a lack of finesse or delicacy.

as raw as

Focuses on the unprocessed or unaltered nature.

as rudimentary as

Indicates a basic or initial stage of development.

as clunky as

Highlights awkwardness or lack of elegance.

FAQs

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

You can use "as crude as" to compare something to a basic or unrefined standard. For example, "The tool was "as crude as" a hammer", indicating its simplicity.

What can I say instead of "as crude as"?

You can use alternatives like "as rough as", "as unrefined as", or "as unsophisticated as" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "as crude as" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "as crude as" when you want to emphasize the simplicity or lack of refinement of something, often in a critical or comparative way. Consider the tone and audience to ensure it's suitable.

What is the difference between "as crude as" and "as basic as"?

While both phrases suggest a lack of complexity, "as crude as" often carries a more negative connotation, implying a lack of skill or care in execution, whereas "as basic as" simply indicates a fundamental level of simplicity.