as nimble as a

USAGE SUMMARY

"as nimble as a" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to compare something to an example of agile movement. For example, "He ran as nimble as a gazelle through the tall grass."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Bear in mind that you may not be as nimble as a luggage-vaulting O.J. Simpson.

The New York Times

Then, too, a giant corporation might not be as nimble as a smaller one.

The New York Times

As for the cornerning, we seemed to be about as nimble as a Routemaster bus.

The Guardian - Travel

"A manager of a large fund can't be as nimble as a private investor using the Value Line system," said David Henigson, a Value Line vice president.

The New York Times

"We just flat-out had to make a business decision so we could be nimble, as nimble as a large company can be," Hutton says.

The New York Times - Magazine

Any company that size is going to face specific challenges, and they simply can't be as nimble as a three man startup in someone's garage.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

We want them to be as nimble as an indie, but to have all the resources of a major".

The New York Times

Ranger Pro wasn't as nimble as K9, but an updated version released this week was good at screening pornographic Web sites, and the browsing experience was adequate.

The New York Times - Tech

Rarely are NATO communicators able to move with that sort of speed, hampered as they are by member nations' competing restrictions on the release of information, as well as by a huge military bureaucracy that is not as nimble as one man, or a small staff, with cellphones — especially when truth is no obstacle.

The New York Times

In "Big Breasts & Wide Hips" he wrote about "slightly upturned nipples as nimble as the mouth of a hedgehog".

The New York Times - Books

We don't hear much about the hips, but it's a rare page that fails to mention breasts: they smell of sulfur and lamb; nipples are likened to dates, cherries, and button mushrooms, and drive the narrator to such extravagancies as "slightly upturned nipples as nimble as the mouth of a hedgehog" and "whenever her nipple was aroused, you could hang an oilcan from it".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as nimble as a", ensure the comparison object (e.g. animal, person, entity) is widely recognized for its agility and quickness to make the comparison immediately understandable.

Common error

While "as nimble as a" is a valid comparison, avoid overuse in a single piece of writing. Vary your descriptions by using synonyms or more descriptive language to prevent the text from sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as nimble as a" serves as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something by comparing its agility or quickness to that of a specific entity known for its nimbleness. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as nimble as a" functions as a comparative adjective phrase used to describe something agile and quick, with the intent of creating a vivid comparison for the audience. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral register. Although "as nimble as a" is grammatically sound, remember to choose examples known for their agility and prevent overusing this expression by using "alternatives" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as agile as a

Replaces "nimble" with "agile", maintaining the comparison's focus on quickness and flexibility.

as quick as a

Shifts the focus to speed rather than overall dexterity.

as spry as a

Implies a light and energetic form of agility, often associated with older individuals.

as deft as a

Emphasizes skill and precision in movement.

as graceful as a

Highlights the smoothness and elegance of movement.

as lithe as a

Focuses on the suppleness and flexibility of movement.

as fleet-footed as a

Specifically refers to the speed of one's feet.

as light-footed as a

Highlights the lightness and ease of movement.

as skilled as a

Shifts the focus to overall proficiency rather than just physical agility.

as adept as a

Similar to "skilled" but implies a natural talent or inclination.

FAQs

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

You can use "as nimble as a" to describe something that moves quickly and with ease. For example, "The startup needed to be "as nimble as a" gazelle to navigate the rapidly changing market."

What can I say instead of "as nimble as a"?

You can use alternatives like "as agile as a", "as quick as a", or "as deft as a" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "as nimble as a" or "as nimble as an"?

"As nimble as a" is correct when followed by a noun that starts with a consonant sound. If the noun starts with a vowel sound, "as nimble as an" should be used. For example, ""as nimble as a" cat" is correct.

What's the difference between "as nimble as a" and "as agile as a"?

While "nimble" and "agile" are often used interchangeably, "nimble" tends to emphasize quickness and lightness in movement, while "agile" emphasizes the ability to move quickly and easily. Therefore, "as agile as a" stresses overall flexibility and adaptability more than ""as nimble as a"".