as reckless as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as reckless as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare someone's behavior or actions to a standard of recklessness, often in a simile format. Example: "He drove his car as reckless as a teenager with a new license."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Such questions are as reckless as they are unanswerable.

The New York Times - Arts

Everybody assumed Smith was as reckless as those she befriended.

The Guardian - Music

He lost because he was not willing to be as reckless as the Republicans.

The Economist

But leaders do matter – especially when one is as reckless as Trump.

The Guardian

In his minstrel-show costume, he could be as reckless as he wanted.

The New Yorker

Its executives appeared to have been as reckless as those who ran HBOS, she claimed.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Reckless as well as deliberate actions can be war crimes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The casino chiefs are not taking as reckless a gamble as it may seem.

The Economist

Martin said one of the biggest lessons from 2017 was to fear reckless as much as controlled attacks.

The Guardian - Tech

It has become common to portray contraceptive use as conscientious, and abortion as reckless.

The New York Times

"People can be as reckless on a bike as they are behind the wheel of the car," he wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as reckless as" to vividly compare someone's actions to a known standard of recklessness, creating a strong image in the reader's mind. For example, "He drove as reckless as a stunt driver."

Common error

Avoid using "as reckless as" when a milder term like "careless" or "inattentive" would be more appropriate. Overstating the recklessness can diminish the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "as reckless as" is to serve as a comparative phrase, functioning as an adverbial modifier. It describes the manner in which an action is performed, indicating a high degree of risk and a disregard for consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as reckless as" is a frequently used comparative phrase that effectively conveys a significant disregard for safety and potential consequences. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and adaptable to various contexts, primarily appearing in news and media. While alternatives such as "as careless as" or "as foolhardy as" exist, "as reckless as" carries a stronger emphasis on intentional risk-taking. When using this phrase, ensure that the level of recklessness accurately reflects the described action to avoid overstatement. Ludwig AI's analysis shows a neutral register for the phrase, making it suitable for both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as foolhardy as

Highlights the foolish nature of the recklessness, suggesting a higher degree of risk involved.

as irresponsible as

Shifts the focus to the lack of responsibility and potential harm to others, differing by stressing the ethical dimension.

as incautious as

Highlights the lack of prudence and foresight, differing by focusing on the failure to anticipate potential problems.

as careless as

Focuses on the lack of attention and caution, differing by emphasizing negligence rather than active recklessness.

as thoughtless as

Highlights the lack of consideration for others, differing by focusing on the absence of empathy or awareness.

as impetuous as

Emphasizes acting on impulse without considering the consequences, differing by focusing on the suddenness of the action.

as audacious as

Highlights the boldness and daring nature, differing by suggesting a certain admiration for the risk-taking.

as devil-may-care as

Emphasizes the nonchalant attitude toward risk, differing by highlighting the carefree disposition.

as headstrong as

Emphasizes the stubborn and willful nature, differing by focusing on the determination behind the reckless action.

as wild as

Emphasizes the uncontrolled and unrestrained nature, differing by suggesting a lack of discipline or moderation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "as reckless as" is used to compare someone's actions to a high degree of risk-taking or disregard for consequences. For example, "He invested his savings "as reckless as" a gambler."

What are some alternatives to "as reckless as"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "as careless as", "as foolhardy as", or "as irresponsible as".

When is it appropriate to use "as reckless as"?

Use "as reckless as" when you want to emphasize a significant disregard for safety or potential consequences, conveying a sense of impulsivity and high risk. It's suitable when describing actions that are not simply careless, but dangerously so.

What's the difference between "as reckless as" and "as careless as"?

"As reckless as" implies a deliberate disregard for danger and potential consequences, while "as careless as" suggests a lack of attention or concern, without necessarily implying intentional risk-taking.