as powerful as

USAGE SUMMARY

"as powerful as" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are comparing two equal forces or qualities. For example, you could say, "He was as powerful as his adversary in the debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Doubt can be as powerful as certainty.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As powerful as it is ambitious.

The Guardian - Music

Again, Pages isn't as powerful as Word.

The Guardian - Tech

Resiliency is not as powerful as Martínez.

The New York Times - Sports

They are as powerful as ever.

The Guardian - Opinion

Manufacturing nostalgia is as powerful as ever.

The New York Times - Magazine

Pure thought could be just as powerful as geomagnetism.

The New Yorker

Eventually, though, frontline forces as powerful as New York's adjust.

The New York Times

This show is as powerful as it is playful.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a theory as powerful as the theory of gravity".

The New York Times - Science

Inertia is a force as powerful as gravity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as powerful as" to create vivid comparisons that highlight the intensity or capability of something in relation to a well-known entity. For example, "The storm was "as powerful as" a hurricane" paints a strong image.

Common error

Avoid using "as powerful as" in overly passive constructions that weaken the sentence's impact. Instead of "The decision was seen "as powerful as" a mandate", try "The decision resonated "as powerfully as" a mandate", making the comparison more dynamic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as powerful as" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It is employed to describe the extent to which one entity possesses a similar degree of strength, influence, or effectiveness in relation to another, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as powerful as" is a versatile and frequently used comparative phrase in the English language. It is deemed grammatically correct and its usage spans across numerous contexts, most notably in news and media as well as science-related content. Ludwig's examples show how the phrase is used to compare two entities that have comparable strengths or impact. To enhance your writing, remember to use this phrase to create vivid comparisons, but avoid overuse in passive constructions. By understanding the function and context of "as powerful as", you can effectively communicate degrees of equivalence in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally potent

Focuses on potency rather than general power; suitable when discussing effectiveness or impact.

just as strong

Highlights the strength aspect, useful in contexts where physical or metaphorical force is relevant.

as effective as

Shifts the focus to the effectiveness of something, implying comparable results.

comparably forceful

Emphasizes the forcefulness, appropriate when describing actions or arguments.

on par with

Indicates equality in status or quality, not specifically power, but implies equal capability.

matches in strength

Directly states equality in strength, suitable for competitive scenarios.

of equal capacity

Refers to the ability to contain or produce, implying comparable power in output.

as influential as

Highlights the influence, fitting when discussing impact on others or events.

bears the same weight

Emphasizes significance or importance, suggesting a similar impact or influence.

as significant as

Highlights the significance, suitable for describing events or factors of comparable importance.

FAQs

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

Use "as powerful as" to compare the strength, influence, or effectiveness of two things, such as "The new engine is "as powerful as" the previous model, but more fuel-efficient".

What are some alternatives to "as powerful as"?

Alternatives include "equally potent", "just as strong", or "as effective as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "as powerful as" is grammatically correct. It is a standard comparative construction used to indicate that two things possess a similar degree of power or influence.

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

"As powerful as" indicates that two things are roughly equal in power, whereas "more powerful than" suggests one is stronger or more effective than the other. If you want to say one entity has greater potential then use "more powerful than".