as pervasive as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as pervasive as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the extent or prevalence of one thing to another. Example: "The influence of social media is as pervasive as the rise of the internet itself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tax evasion is as pervasive as ever.

The Economist

Racism was as pervasive as hunger.

The New Yorker

And yet few are as pervasive as skin color.

The New York Times

Do I think it's as pervasive as it has been?

The Guardian - Opinion

On weekends, the barking is as pervasive as bird song.

The New York Times

An old Greek disease, clientelism, seems as pervasive as ever.

The Economist

Charcuterie plates are as pervasive as beards on bartenders.

The Washington Post

The serene expectation of pleasure was as pervasive as the fragrance of the gardens.

The New York Times - Travel

It also defiles plenty of other cities, a modern blight as pervasive as pollution.

The New York Times

But as pervasive as hearing loss may be, it's rarely discussed.

The New York Times - Arts

Was the gossip about Savile really as pervasive as ITV witnesses claimed?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as pervasive as", ensure that both elements being compared are clearly defined and contribute to the overall understanding of the sentence. For example, "The use of smartphones is as pervasive as the need for communication" provides a strong and clear comparison.

Common error

Avoid comparing unrelated elements when using "as pervasive as". A sentence like "The sky is as pervasive as happiness" is illogical because 'sky' is a physical entity, while 'happiness' is an emotion. Ensure the comparison is between elements that can be logically compared in terms of their prevalence or reach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as pervasive as" functions as a comparative correlative, linking two elements to indicate that they possess a similar degree of pervasiveness. The Ludwig examples show it is used to equate the extent or reach of different phenomena.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as pervasive as" is a comparative phrase used to emphasize the widespread nature or influence of something by likening it to another element. According to Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts. Predominantly featured in News & Media and Academic sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register, fitting both formal and general communication. When employing this comparative, ensure the elements compared are logically related. Consider alternatives like "as common as" or "as ubiquitous as" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as common as

Emphasizes the widespread occurrence of something, focusing on frequency rather than the depth of its reach.

as ubiquitous as

Highlights the omnipresence of something, suggesting it is found everywhere.

as prevalent as

Stresses the widespread existence of something within a specific population or area.

equally pervasive to

Uses a different structure to directly equate the extent of two things.

to the same extent as

Emphasizes the degree to which something is widespread, rather than the characteristic itself.

as widespread as

Focuses on the broad distribution of something.

just as common as

Adds emphasis to the comparison of frequency.

mirrors the pervasiveness of

Uses a verb to draw a parallel between the reach of two things.

matches the reach of

Highlights the extent to which something extends or affects others.

is on par with the pervasiveness of

Indicates that two things are equal in terms of how widespread they are.

FAQs

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

Use "as pervasive as" to compare how widespread something is to something else. For example, "The influence of technology is "as pervasive as" the air we breathe" shows how deeply integrated technology is into our lives.

What can I say instead of "as pervasive as"?

You can use alternatives like "as common as", "as ubiquitous as", or "as prevalent as" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "as pervasive than" instead of "as pervasive as"?

No, it is incorrect. The correct comparative structure is "as [adjective] as". "Than" is used with comparative adjectives ending in '-er' or with 'more', for example "better than" or "more pervasive than". With "as pervasive" you always need to use "as", not "than".

What is the difference between "as pervasive as" and "more common than"?

"As pervasive as" emphasizes the extent of something's spread or influence, suggesting a deep integration or reach. "More common than" simply indicates that something occurs more frequently. For example, misinformation might be "as pervasive as" truth on social media, while rumors might be just more common than facts.