as serious as

USAGE SUMMARY

"as serious as" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to form a comparison between two things, for example "This issue is as serious as climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"As serious as can be," Castles said.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm as serious as cancer.

The Guardian - Music

It's not as serious as all that.

The New York Times

"It's as serious as that," he added.

The Guardian

"Well, as serious as you can be.

The New York Times

"It wasn't as serious as all that".

The New York Times - Sports

I am as serious as a cardiovascular infarction.

The New Yorker

That's about as serious as "Packing for Mars" gets.

The New York Times - Books

And A. L. Kennedy is as serious as they get.

The New York Times - Books

Carr: I'm as serious as the question warrants.

The Guardian

But those ailments were not as serious as blood clots.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as serious as" to draw a direct comparison underscoring the gravity or importance of a subject. This emphasizes the extent to which something should be considered significant or impactful. Ensure clarity in the comparison to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "as serious as" without a clear point of reference. For example, instead of saying "The situation is as serious as it gets", specify what 'it' refers to and what makes it serious by writing something like "The situation is as serious as a heart attack", which uses a recognized expression to convey urgency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as serious as" functions as a comparative conjunction, linking two elements to emphasize their equivalence in terms of gravity or importance. Ludwig AI shows its correct usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as serious as" is a commonly used comparative phrase employed to emphasize the gravity or significance of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and particularly frequent in News & Media. When writing, ensure the comparison is clear and direct to maximize the phrase's impact. While generally neutral, the register can adapt to the surrounding context. Remember to specify the comparison to avoid ambiguity. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "just as grave as" or "equally critical to" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as grave as

Replaces 'serious' with 'grave', emphasizing the weighty and concerning nature of the subject.

equally critical to

Shifts the focus to the importance of the subject, using 'critical' to indicate a high level of concern.

no less significant than

Emphasizes the comparable importance of the topic, using a formal tone.

just as vital as

Emphasizes the necessity of the subject, using 'vital' to denote importance.

of equal importance to

States explicitly that the subject has the same level of significance as something else.

as crucial as

Replaces 'serious' with 'crucial', indicating the critical importance of something.

comparable in severity to

Focuses on the intensity or harshness of something, using a more formal tone.

matches the gravity of

Highlights the weightiness and importance of the subject, using 'gravity' to underscore its significance.

bears the same weight as

Emphasizes the significance and impact of the subject, using a more metaphorical expression.

on par with regarding intensity

Highlights similar level of intensity with more professional expression.

FAQs

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

You can use "as serious as" to compare the gravity of two situations, for example: "The matter is "as serious as" a heart attack" or "The consequences are "as serious as" a national crisis".

What are some alternative phrases for "as serious as"?

Some alternatives include "equally critical to", "no less significant than", or "just as grave as", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a more formal way to express "as serious as"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "comparable in severity to" or "of equal importance to" for a more formal tone.

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

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the significant or critical nature of something by comparing it to something else that is commonly understood to be serious. This helps to highlight the urgency or importance of the issue.