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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

as shallow as
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gay folks have standards and are just as shallow as the straights.

News & Media

Huffington Post

That's not as shallow as it sounds.

News & Media

The New Yorker

His passions are as shallow as they are solemn.

News & Media

The Guardian - Books

It's just as shallow as the rest of us.

News & Media

Independent

"My breathing isn't as shallow as it used to be," Mrs. Gallagher said.

News & Media

The New York Times - Health

Anna, it turns out, can be as shallow as the rest of them.

News & Media

The New York Times

As shallow as that seems, and I'm definitely not that guy … I don't know.

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

This can be as shallow as one to two inches deep.

News & Media

The New York Times

Life would be simpler if Lost River was as shallow as they say.

News & Media

The Guardian - Film

"As shallow as the sea is, it got stirred up," Mr. Schlange said.

News & Media

The New York Times

That approach, he suggests, is what makes big brands as shallow as most Top 40 music or Hollywood movies.

News & Media

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as shallow as", ensure you clearly define what you are comparing the subject to in order to make the comparison meaningful. For example, "His understanding of the issue is as shallow as a puddle."

Common error

Avoid using "as shallow as" in overly complex or convoluted sentences. The phrase works best in direct, simple comparisons. Overcomplicating the sentence can dilute the impact and make the comparison less effective.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as shallow as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that something lacks depth, whether in terms of knowledge, understanding, or emotional profundity. Ludwig examples showcase its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as shallow as" is a common comparative used to express a lack of depth, whether literal or figurative. It functions as a comparative adjective phrase, often employed to critique or judge the superficiality of a subject. Ludwig's analysis reveals its presence across diverse sources, predominantly in news, science, and wiki contexts. While grammatically correct, its formality can vary depending on the surrounding language. When writing with "as shallow as", ensure the comparison is clear and consider more formal alternatives like "lacking depth" for academic or professional contexts. In conclusion, "as shallow as" is valuable for conveying a lack of profundity, but choose its usage deliberately.

More alternative expressions(6)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as deep as

Emphasizes the lack of depth in a more direct manner, analogous to "as shallow as".

not as profound as

Expresses a lack of depth compared to something else, similar to "as shallow as" but focuses on the lack of profundity.

lacking the depth of

Focuses on the absence of depth, presenting a more formal tone compared to "as shallow as".

skin-deep

Emphasizes the superficiality as something that only affects the surface or appearance.

superficial to the extent of

Highlights the superficial nature, quantifying it with "to the extent of", showing the boundary.

simply skin-deep

Focuses on the lack of deep meaning or substance, presenting a slightly more emphatic tone.

to a superficial degree

Highlights the degree or intensity of superficiality that something has.

not going beneath the surface

Highlights the idea of not diving deep into a topic or situation.

on the surface

Conveys a lack of in-depth consideration, implying a superficial understanding or treatment.

only scratching the surface

Expresses the idea of something is not deeply studied or well known.

FAQs

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

Use "as shallow as" to compare something's lack of depth to something else, such as "His analysis was "as shallow as a puddle"" or "Her understanding of the situation is "as shallow as a kiddie pool"."

What are some alternatives to "as shallow as"?

You can use phrases like "not as deep as", "superficial", or "lacking depth" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "as shallow as" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "as shallow as" might be considered informal for academic or professional writing. Alternatives like "lacking the depth of" or "superficial" may be more suitable.

What does it mean when someone is described as "as shallow as"?

It means the person's thoughts, feelings, or understanding of something lacks depth, complexity, or sincerity. Their knowledge or emotions are superficial.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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as shallow asGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

as shallow as
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples