as dreadful as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as dreadful as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to make a comparison, typically to emphasize the severity or unpleasantness of something in relation to another. Example: "The weather today is as dreadful as it was during the storm last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Many critics concluded that the much-hyped interview was neither as "dreadful" as had been feared nor as hard-hitting as it could have been.

Huffington Post

It is quite as dreadful as it sounds.

The Guardian

But such pictures are nowhere near as dreadful as a looming mushroom cloud.

Yale University

Even the Knicks, with Mike D'Antoni shaking things up, can't be as dreadful as they've been.

The Washington Post

"He can't be as dreadful as they say," they said, according to Dr. Maxwell.

The New York Times

"The idea of death, now, to me, is just as dreadful as it was before.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Which seems to prove that nice can sometimes be as unnerving as dreadful.

The New York Times

I have a new phone and it has been as dreadful a learning curve as you would expect.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it's the images of corpses stacked on the Greenwich Village sidewalks where they fell, as a crowd of thousands helplessly watched, that get to you, as dreadful now as they were a century ago, when they inspired a wave of workplace reform in New York State.

The New York Times - Arts

To Kipling's wife, Carrie, the threat of capture seemed as dreadful a prospect as death: her husband's hatred for the Hun (Kipling's term for Germans, when he was not calling them "wild beasts" or "Evil Incarnate") had been brandished in his recruitment speeches and newspaper articles.

The New Yorker

And whether any of the aforementioned – or Jim Leighton – ever had as dreadful a day at the office as Alex Stepney did at St Andrew's in 1975 is a moot point.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as dreadful as," ensure the context is appropriate for its relatively strong negative connotation. Consider synonyms like 'bad' or 'unpleasant' for more neutral situations.

Common error

Avoid using "as dreadful as" in contexts where a less intense comparison would be more appropriate. Overusing such a strong phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as dreadful as" functions as a comparative expression, specifically to emphasize the extent to which something is unpleasant, severe, or undesirable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to draw parallels between two negative situations or entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

6%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as dreadful as" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase that serves to strongly emphasize a negative comparison. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage. While versatile, it's important to consider the strength of the word "dreadful" and ensure it aligns with the intended level of negativity. Alternatives like "as terrible as" or "as awful as" might be more suitable in less intense situations. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, followed by academia. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively employ "as dreadful as" to enhance their expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as dreadful as

Adds emphasis to the comparison, highlighting the equal severity.

equally as dreadful as

Similar to "just as dreadful as", but with a more formal tone.

as terrible as

Replaces "dreadful" with a more common synonym, slightly reducing the intensity.

as awful as

Uses a more informal synonym for "dreadful", making it suitable for less formal contexts.

as horrible as

Emphasizes the unpleasantness to a greater degree than the original phrase.

as appalling as

Implies a sense of shock and disgust, adding a layer of moral judgment.

as frightening as

Shifts the focus to the fear-inducing aspect of the situation.

as alarming as

Highlights the cause for concern and potential danger.

as grim as

Focuses on the somber or depressing nature of something.

as unpleasant as

A more neutral and understated alternative, suitable for formal settings.

FAQs

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

You can use "as dreadful as" to compare two unpleasant things, such as: "The traffic today was "as dreadful as" it was during the storm last week".

What are some alternatives to "as dreadful as"?

You can use alternatives like "as terrible as", "as awful as", or "as horrible as" depending on the context and the desired level of intensity.

Is it grammatically correct to say "as dreadful as"?

Yes, the phrase "as dreadful as" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to make comparisons.

What is the difference between "as dreadful as" and "as bad as"?

While both phrases express a negative comparison, "as dreadful as" suggests a higher degree of unpleasantness or severity than "as bad as".