as daunting as

USAGE SUMMARY

"as daunting as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two things that evoke similar feelings of apprehension or difficulty. For example: "Preparing for a final exam was as daunting as running a marathon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is not quite as daunting as it sounds.

The Economist

But for the museum, promoting the towers might be as daunting as keeping them in shape.

The New York Times

Hungary's economic challenges are not as daunting as those of the euro zone.

The New York Times

Will the oil industry rise to the challenge?It is not as daunting as it seems.

The Economist

All these special effects could prove as daunting as gluing ribbons and stapling brads.

The New York Times

Getting children admitted can be as daunting as treating them, because of cultural barriers.

The New York Times

That prospect, for the parents of three young children, was as daunting as it was exciting.

The Guardian

At 13 pages and spiral-bound, it's as daunting as the G.R.E.

The New York Times

The avalanche of art is as daunting as it is impressive.

The New York Times - Travel

"He is a trailblazer, which is probably as daunting as it is exhilarating".

The New Yorker

This phone call usually takes 30-45 minutes and is not as daunting as it sounds.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as daunting as" to effectively compare the perceived difficulty or intimidation factor of two different situations or tasks. For instance, "Negotiating a salary can be as daunting as public speaking."

Common error

Avoid using "as daunting as" when not making a direct comparison. For example, don't say "The task was as daunting as", without specifying what it's being compared to. Instead, state "The task was daunting." or "The task was as daunting as climbing Mount Everest."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as daunting as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, expressing a similarity in the level of difficulty or intimidation between two subjects. Ludwig's examples show how it is used to draw parallels in perceived challenges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

17%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as daunting as" is a versatile and common phrase used to draw comparisons in the level of difficulty or intimidation. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It's important to use it in comparative contexts, ensuring a clear connection between the two subjects being compared. Alternatives like "as challenging as" or "as intimidating as" can be used to subtly alter the emphasis. This phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as intimidating as

Focuses more on the feeling of being intimidated rather than the difficulty.

as challenging as

Emphasizes the level of difficulty and the need for effort.

as formidable as

Highlights the strength and power required to overcome something.

as difficult as

A more general way to describe the level of hardship involved.

as arduous as

Stresses the effort and length of time required.

as overwhelming as

Focuses on the feeling of being burdened or overloaded.

as frightening as

Highlights the element of fear or worry.

as terrifying as

Emphasizes intense fear and dread.

as insurmountable as

Implies that something is impossible to overcome.

as complex as

Focuses on the intricate and multifaceted nature of something.

FAQs

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

Use "as daunting as" to compare two situations that evoke similar levels of apprehension or difficulty. For example, "Starting a new business can be "as daunting as climbing a mountain"."

What are some alternatives to "as daunting as"?

You can use alternatives like "as intimidating as", "as challenging as", or "as formidable as" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "daunting as" something else?

The correct phrasing is "as daunting as". The word "as" needs to precede "daunting" to form the proper comparative structure.

What's the difference between "as daunting as" and "more daunting than"?

"As daunting as" implies that two things are similarly daunting. "More daunting than" suggests one thing is significantly more intimidating or difficult than another.