as good as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as good as" is a perfectly valid and common expression used in written English.
It is typically used to denote something which is equal in quality to something else, and can be used in the form of a comparison. For example: "This new phone is as good as the last one I owned!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not as good as Goldman's.

The Economist

It's as good as the Knowledge.

The New Yorker

Will they be as good as mine?

The New York Times

They were as good as gold Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

He was as good as his word.

The Economist

"As good as anywhere in the world".

Independent

Food tastes as good as ever.

Independent

"This is as good as it gets".

The New York Times

Is it as good as it seems?

The Economist

Looked as good as it did before.

The New York Times - Magazine

Was she as good as Helen Mirren?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, maintain consistency in your comparisons. If you're comparing multiple items, ensure the criteria for 'goodness' remain consistent across the comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "as good as" when referring to something impossible or unlikely. For example, instead of saying 'He's "as good as" dead' when there's still hope, use 'he's in critical condition' for accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as good as" primarily functions as a comparative, indicating that something is virtually equivalent or nearly identical to something else. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to equate qualities or outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

9%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as good as" is a versatile phrase used to express near equivalence or virtual certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While adaptable, writers should be mindful of maintaining context and avoiding overstatement when using this comparative phrase. For varied expression, synonyms like "virtually the same as" or ""comparable to"" offer alternative wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually the same as

Implies a near-identical state, focusing on practical equivalence rather than absolute equality.

practically equal to

Highlights functional equivalence, suggesting that differences are negligible in practice.

almost identical to

Emphasizes the high degree of similarity, stopping short of absolute identity.

tantamount to

Indicates that something is effectively equivalent in its consequences or significance.

just as effective as

Focuses specifically on the equivalence of effectiveness or results.

comparable to

Suggests that two things are similar enough to be worth comparing, with an implied level of equality.

on par with

Indicates that something meets the same standard or level as something else.

equivalent to

Highlights a direct and measurable equality between two things.

in the same league as

Suggests a similar level of quality or ability, especially in competitive contexts.

akin to

Implies a similarity in nature or character, often used in a more abstract sense.

FAQs

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

Use "as good as" to compare the quality, condition, or certainty of something to something else. For example, "The replacement part is "comparable to" the original", or "The deal is "practically done"".

What are some alternatives to using "as good as"?

You can use alternatives like "virtually the same as", "almost identical to", or ""comparable to"" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "as good as" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to make comparisons or to indicate something is virtually certain.

What's the difference between "as good as" and "almost"?

"As good as" often implies a level of equivalence or near certainty, while "almost" simply indicates nearness. For instance, "The game is "as good as" over" suggests the outcome is decided, whereas "The game is "almost" over" indicates it's nearing the end but the result is still uncertain.