as inscrutable as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as inscrutable as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the mysteriousness or complexity of one thing to another. Example: "Her expression was as inscrutable as the Mona Lisa, leaving everyone guessing her true feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Merkin says Blanchett remains "as inscrutable as ever".

The New York Times

Junior stands and watches, as inscrutable as ever.

The Guardian - Sport

In many cases, people's true political positions remain as inscrutable as some of their religious beliefs.

The New York Times

Their more bizarre songs remain as inscrutable as riddles in a made-up language.

The Guardian - Music

On first sight, Derek Jacobi is as inscrutable as a parked Skoda.

The Guardian

Angelina was as inscrutable as one of the world's most famous women should be.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

But those reels, in dented metal containers stamped "Korvette Camera Dept.," were as inscrutable and as fragile as the Rosetta stone.

The New York Times - Tech

Poorly conceived videos can be as unhelpful as inscrutable text, of course, and no video will fully substitute for an in-person demonstration.

The New Yorker

The images they display will be as inscrutable and inconsequential as they appear now, still swaying, going in and out of focus, still doing their thing, interminably as well as to no particular end.

The Guardian - Arts

Over the next four decades, she produced a small but elegant body of work: thirty-eight covers and more than two hundred cartoons that are as inscrutable, and irresistible, today as when they first appeared.

The New Yorker

Under a set of arcane rules that can seem as inscrutable to the uninitiated as the mechanics of Quidditch, both Democrats and Republicans have long used formulas that give a state's delegates based not just on population, but also on party loyalty in previous elections.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as inscrutable as" to effectively compare two subjects when emphasizing their shared quality of being impossible or difficult to understand. For instance, "His motives were as inscrutable as the Sphinx, leaving everyone guessing."

Common error

Avoid using "as inscrutable as" when you simply mean something is mysterious or unknown. "Inscrutable" implies a deeper level of impenetrability, suggesting that understanding is actively resisted or inherently impossible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as inscrutable as" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing its quality of being impossible to understand or interpret. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

20%

Books

12%

Less common in

Sport

8%

Wiki

4%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as inscrutable as" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to underscore the incomprehensibility of a subject through comparison. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adheres to standard grammar conventions. Predominantly found in News & Media and Arts contexts, its register remains largely neutral, fitting seamlessly into diverse writings. When aiming for semantic variations, consider alternatives like "as enigmatic as" or "as unfathomable as" for subtly different emphasis. Ensure correct usage by reserving "as inscrutable as" for situations genuinely resistant to understanding, rather than merely unknown elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as enigmatic as

Replaces "inscrutable" with "enigmatic", suggesting something mysterious and puzzling.

as unfathomable as

Uses "unfathomable" instead of "inscrutable", emphasizing the depth and impossibility of understanding.

as mysterious as

Substitutes "inscrutable" with "mysterious", highlighting the unknown and secretive nature.

as impenetrable as

Replaces "inscrutable" with "impenetrable", focusing on the inability to see through or understand.

as indecipherable as

Uses "indecipherable" instead of "inscrutable", stressing the difficulty in reading or interpreting something.

as cryptic as

Substitutes "inscrutable" with "cryptic", suggesting a hidden or ambiguous meaning.

as baffling as

Replaces "inscrutable" with "baffling", emphasizing the perplexing and confusing nature.

as perplexing as

Uses "perplexing" instead of "inscrutable", highlighting the quality of causing confusion or uncertainty.

as puzzling as

Substitutes "inscrutable" with "puzzling", focusing on the quality of being difficult to solve or understand.

as incomprehensible as

Replaces "inscrutable" with "incomprehensible", stressing the inability to grasp the meaning.

FAQs

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

Use "as inscrutable as" to compare something difficult to understand with another entity known for its mysterious or unfathomable nature. For example, "Her expression was "as inscrutable as" the Mona Lisa, leaving everyone guessing her true feelings."

What are some alternatives to "as inscrutable as"?

You can use alternatives like "as enigmatic as", "as unfathomable as", or "as mysterious as" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "inscrutable"?

Yes, "inscrutable" is a perfectly valid word to describe something that is difficult or impossible to understand. The phrase "as inscrutable as" simply amplifies this quality through comparison.

What's the difference between "inscrutable" and "mysterious"?

"Inscrutable" suggests something is inherently impossible to fully understand, while "mysterious" implies that something is unknown or concealed, but potentially knowable with further investigation. Something "as inscrutable as" the universe may always remain beyond our full comprehension, whereas a mysterious event might be solved with more clues.