as helpful as

USAGE SUMMARY

"as helpful as" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to compare the helpfulness of two things or people. Example: "My coworker is as helpful as a dictionary when it comes to answering difficult questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Endorsements aren't nearly as helpful as recommendations, but they help a little.

Forbes

But as helpful as these are, they are likely to only help a minority of borrowers.

Huffington Post

Nothing as helpful as a name".

The New Yorker

The school is being as helpful as possible".

The New York Times

Her answering machine was as helpful as Martha.

The New Yorker

However, this is about as helpful as they could be.

The New York Times - Tech

"Our purpose was to be as helpful as we could".

The New York Times

We'll try to be as helpful as we can.

The Washington Post

But this isn't as helpful as you might imagine.

The New York Times

Servers are enthusiastic but not as helpful as possible.

The New York Times

But endorsements are not always as helpful as candidates hope.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the comparison is logical and that both subjects being compared are genuinely related in terms of their function or purpose. Avoid comparing apples to oranges.

Common error

Avoid using "as helpful as" when there's no clear basis for comparison. For example, stating "The new software is as helpful as a hammer" doesn't make sense unless you're sarcastically implying it's entirely unhelpful for the intended task. Instead, ensure that the comparison enhances understanding, not confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as helpful as" functions as a comparative construction, indicating that two subjects possess an equal degree of helpfulness. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and common usage. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its role in comparing the utility of various resources or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

25%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as helpful as" is a versatile phrase used to compare the equal level of assistance or benefit provided by two different subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common occurrence across diverse sources. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it frequently appears in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts. To use it effectively, ensure a clear basis for comparison and logically relate the subjects in terms of their function or purpose. Remembering this will help avoid misuse and enhance clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as much help as

A more direct rephrasing, simplifying the comparison to the quantity of help provided.

as effective as

Directly compares the efficacy of something, stating that it achieves results at the same level.

of equal assistance to

Indicates that something offers the same level of help or aid.

just as useful for

Emphasizes the utility of something, showing that it serves the same purpose with the same effectiveness.

as valuable as

Highlights the worth or importance of something, indicating that it has the same value in terms of assistance.

as instrumental as

Highlights the role of something as being crucial or significant in achieving a particular outcome.

equally beneficial to

Focuses on the advantageous nature of something, indicating that it provides the same level of benefit.

no less supportive than

Emphasizes the level of support provided, ensuring it is at least equal to another source.

as advantageous to

Focuses on the benefits or advantages provided, noting that they are equivalent.

comparably advantageous to

Indicates that something is similarly favorable or beneficial when compared to something else.

FAQs

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

Use "as helpful as" to compare the degree to which two things provide assistance or benefit. For instance, "The guide was "as helpful as" a personal tutor in understanding the subject matter".

What are some alternatives to "as helpful as"?

You can use alternatives such as "equally beneficial to", "just as useful for", or "as valuable as" to express similar comparisons of helpfulness.

Is it correct to say "as helpful as" or should I use "as helpful than"?

"As helpful as" is the correct comparative structure. "Than" is typically used with comparative adjectives ending in '-er' or with 'more', while 'as' is used for comparisons of equality. So, use "as helpful as".

What's the difference between "as helpful as" and "more helpful than"?

"As helpful as" indicates that two things provide an equal level of assistance. "More helpful than" suggests that one thing provides a greater level of assistance compared to another.