as destructive as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as destructive as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of destructiveness of one thing to another. Example: "The hurricane was as destructive as the previous year's flood, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are as strong and as determined and as destructive as ever," Ames said.

The Guardian

Sadly, driving companies out of the scheme completely is about as destructive as it gets.

The Guardian - Opinion

But perhaps this prospect of a gruelling endgame is not as destructive as it sounds.

The New Yorker

Inaction, of course, can be as destructive as ill-advised action.

The New Yorker

On the other hand, it was at least as destructive as many of them.

The New York Times

We can agree that GoogaMooga was not as destructive as Hurricane Sandy.

The New York Times

Mr. Alexander, 19, needed help to break an addiction that he called as destructive as alcohol or drugs.

The New York Times

A malfunctioning centrifuge rotor can be as destructive as a small tornado, breaking adjacent assemblies and piping.

The New Yorker

Lawes hasn't been as destructive as he has been this season for Northampton but he's played magnificently again.

The Guardian - Sport

The Catholic church does not espouse "individualism" but rather sees it as an error as destructive as collectivism.

The Guardian - Opinion

What's happening now is as destructive as all the bombing of the last three years," he reported.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as destructive as", ensure that you are comparing two similar entities in terms of their capacity to cause damage or harm. The comparison should be clear and logical.

Common error

Avoid using "as destructive as" when describing something with positive attributes. This phrase should be reserved for negative comparisons where the level of damage or harm is being equated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as destructive as" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to draw a parallel between two subjects based on their capability to inflict damage or harm. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as destructive as" is a comparative adjective phrase used to equate the degree of damage or harm between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely applicable, particularly in contexts such as news reporting, scientific analysis, and formal communication. While versatile, it should be reserved for comparisons involving negative impacts, with alternatives like "equally damaging as" available for similar contexts. Its frequent use and presence in reputable sources underscore its validity and importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally devastating to

Replaces "destructive" with "devastating", focusing on the severe impact.

just as harmful as

Substitutes "destructive" with "harmful", emphasizing the damaging nature.

as damaging as

Replaces "destructive" with "damaging", highlighting the adverse effects.

as ruinous as

Uses "ruinous" instead of "destructive", pointing to a state of collapse or destruction.

as detrimental as

Employs "detrimental" in place of "destructive", indicating harm or disadvantage.

comparably devastating to

Adds "comparably" to emphasize the similarity in the extent of devastation.

similarly harmful to

Expresses the likeness in harmfulness using "similarly".

of equal destructiveness to

Rephrases to focus on the equality of the "destructiveness".

as catastrophic as

Replaces "destructive" with "catastrophic", focusing on the disaster.

matches the destructive force of

Rephrases to emphasize the destructive power.

FAQs

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

Use "as destructive as" to compare the severity of damage or harm caused by two different things. For example, "The economic downturn was "as destructive as" a natural disaster".

What is a good alternative to "as destructive as"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "equally damaging as", "just as harmful as", or "as ruinous as".

Is it always negative to describe something as "as destructive as"?

Yes, the phrase "as destructive as" inherently carries a negative connotation, as it refers to the capacity to cause damage or harm. Therefore, it should only be used in contexts where something is causing a negative impact.

What's the difference between "as destructive as" and "as damaging as"?

The phrases "as destructive as" and "as damaging as" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. However, "destructive" often implies a more complete or catastrophic level of damage compared to "damaging".