as desperate as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as desperate as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of desperation of one thing or person to another. Example: "She felt as desperate as a drowning person reaching for air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

As desperate as he was to make friends, he had trouble communicating.

The New York Times

Nobody else was as desperate as the two of us, my father and I, to get our life back.

The New York Times - Books

Lila is as desperate as Ray.

The New York Times

It needn't be as desperate as it has become.

The New York Times

But as desperate as I was, I was determined to go back to school.

The New York Times

Pandering, after all, is what politicians do, especially politicians as desperate as the Democrats.

The New York Times - Arts

And Texas's inner cities have become as desperate as inner cities everywhere.

The New York Times - Arts

England's situation was not quite as desperate as mere numbers made it seem.

The New York Times - Books

The situation of Muslims in France, while volatile, is hardly as desperate as Hussey suggests.

The Guardian - Books

Now all he needed were some players as desperate as he was to make it happen.

The New York Times - Sports

As desperate as those words seemed, Carpenter sounded hopeful, not panicky.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Enhance the impact of "as desperate as" by providing vivid details about the situation or person being described. This helps readers understand the depth of the desperation.

Common error

Avoid using "as desperate as" when a simpler, more direct description would suffice. Overusing comparative phrases can dilute their impact. For example, instead of 'He was as desperate as a man lost at sea', consider 'He was utterly desperate'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as desperate as" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. Ludwig's analysis indicates its role in drawing parallels between the intensity of feelings or situations, often highlighting a state of extreme urgency or need. It enhances descriptions by providing a measurable comparison.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

15%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as desperate as" is a common and grammatically correct comparative phrase used to emphasize the intensity of a situation or feeling. Ludwig AI highlights its usage across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing, indicating its versatility. The phrase functions to draw a comparison, enhancing descriptions and evoking a clearer understanding of urgency or need. While widely accepted, ensure the comparison is clear and logical to avoid redundancy. Alternative phrases like "equally desperate" or "as hopeless as" offer similar nuances, while maintaining clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally desperate

Focuses on matching the level of desperation.

as hopeless as

Shifts the focus to the lack of positive outcomes.

in as dire straits as

Highlights the severity and difficulty of the situation.

as frantic as

Emphasizes the panicked state resulting from desperation.

just as eager

Focuses on the intensity of wanting something.

as keen as

Highlights the intensity of interest.

as anxious as

Highlights the worry and concern.

in similar need

Focuses on comparing the urgency of needing help or resources.

similarly pressed

Highlights the pressure felt by both entities.

as pressed as

Stresses a similar degree of urgency or stress.

FAQs

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

You can use "as desperate as" to compare the level of desperation between two subjects. For instance, "She was "as desperate as" someone searching for a life-saving cure".

What phrases are similar to "as desperate as"?

Similar phrases include "as hopeless as", "equally desperate", or "in dire straits", all conveying a sense of urgency and dire need.

Is it correct to say "so desperate as" instead of "as desperate as"?

While "so...as" is grammatically correct in some contexts, "as...as" is generally preferred for comparisons of equality. "She was "as desperate as" he was" is more common and natural-sounding than "She was so desperate as he was".

How does the phrase "as desperate as" differ from "desperate"?

"Desperate" describes a state of being, while "as desperate as" is a comparative phrase used to equate two subjects' levels of desperation. The phrase helps to highlight the intensity by drawing a direct comparison.