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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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as deft as a

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as deft as a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare someone's skill or agility in a particular task to that of a skilled individual or animal, often followed by a noun that completes the simile. Example: "She handled the delicate instruments as deft as a surgeon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Nicholson's rhinoplasty is as deft as a blindfold party kid trying to pin a tail on a donkey.

News & Media

The Guardian

In other words, the movie's action delivers the premise for that action; the trick is as deft as a scaffold-builder extending his platform stepwise while advancing above the void.

News & Media

The New Yorker

At forty-five, Damon remains in frightening fettle, but twinned with that hunkhood is a touch as deft as a pickpocket's.

News & Media

The New Yorker

The final score, 3-1, came via a 71st-minute penalty kick, converted by you-know-who, and a 69th-minute masterpiece involving the trickery of Iniesta, the first-touch pass of David Villa, and the finish by Xavi Hernández with a touch as deft as a pickpocket's.

But with eyes as keen as a jeweler's and fingers as deft as a blind person's, Mohammed daily pores over parcels and scans people's clothes and vehicles, often snaring lethal objects.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And although the religion's critics are right to point to the paradox of its championing of the poor with its own love of the good life and exquisite art, together with its extraordinary capacity to be as deft as any secular politician in the pursuit of its aims, there is an integrity, appeal and spirituality about its purpose that even an agnostic non-Catholic like me has to concede.

Every sound is carefully placed in the exact right spot, with a care that's as deft as it's deliberate.

News & Media

Vice

Its tonal shifts are as deft as they are numerous — and the success of this balancing act owes a great deal to the film's co-writer and co-star Alice Lowe.

News & Media

The New York Times

Desserts, including a toasty little coconut cake with marinated pineapple and a blameless tiramisu in its own dark chocolate boat, were as deft as everything that had gone before.

News & Media

Independent

Findlay's production is as deft as it is dark.

News & Media

The Guardian

It turned out Youkilis wasn't as deft as he thought.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as deft as a", ensure that the comparison is clear and easily understood by the reader. The object of comparison should be widely recognized for its skill or agility in the specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "as deft as a" with obscure or uncommon comparisons. The simile loses its effectiveness if the reader is unfamiliar with the skill or characteristic associated with the object of comparison.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as deft as a" functions as a simile, used to compare someone's skill or expertise to a person or thing known for similar qualities. This phrase is found in Ludwig's examples to describe different skills, like in the example 'a touch as deft as a pickpocket's'.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as deft as a" is a simile used to describe someone's skill or ability by comparing it to a person or thing known for similar qualities. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and is most commonly found in News & Media. While the phrase is not particularly common, it is helpful in emphasizing the precision and skill involved in a particular action. When using the phrase, ensure the comparison is clear and well-understood. Alternatives such as "as skilled as a" or "as nimble as a" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance.

FAQs

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

Use "as deft as a" to compare someone's skill or agility to a well-known expert. For example, "She navigated the negotiations "as deft as a diplomat"".

What are some alternatives to using "as deft as a"?

Alternatives include phrases like "as skilled as a", "as nimble as a", or "as adroit as a", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between saying "as deft as a" and "as skilled as a"?

While similar, "deft" implies a delicate and precise skill, whereas "skilled" is a more general term for competence. Use "as deft as a" when the context involves finesse and careful execution.

What kind of scenarios is the phrase "as deft as a" most appropriate for?

The phrase "as deft as a" is best suited for situations where someone demonstrates skillful and precise movements. Consider, "The surgeon's hands were as deft as a watchmaker's when performing the intricate procedure."

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Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: