as sharp as ever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as sharp as ever" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that has remained as good as it was before, such as a person's wit or a piece of metallic material. For example, "The old man's wit was as sharp as ever; his jokes had everyone in stitches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"They've still got it," it is said of them, "still as sharp as ever".

The New York Times

But in an interview, his mind and stubbornness were as sharp as ever.

The New York Times

"His mental acuity is as sharp as ever and his physical health has not deteriorated".

The New York Times

"Rodelinda" was the spearhead of the Handel revival, and that point is as sharp as ever.

The New York Times - Arts

Agassi looked as sharp as ever in his Round of 16 match.

The New York Times - Sports

Supporters say Mr. Wasserstein's skills as a deal maker are as sharp as ever.

The New York Times

But his wit is as sharp as ever and his spirit still fired with optimism.

The Guardian - Opinion

The cast is as sharp as ever, retaining all the chemistry of the original seasons.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He may have been ailing in body but was as sharp as ever in mind.

The Guardian

Lest that sound too academic, his gags remain as sharp as ever.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Brad Sanders of the Indiana Daily Student opined that the show's writing "is still sharp – not 'as sharp as ever,' but sharp – but a lot of the most interesting plots have already played out, and a lot of the new plots aren't interesting".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as sharp as ever" to emphasize the continuation of a positive attribute, especially after a period of potential decline or absence. For example, use it to describe someone's wit after an illness or a team's performance after a losing streak.

Common error

Avoid using "as sharp as ever" to describe something that is expected to be sharp inherently and hasn't faced any challenges. It's more effective when highlighting resilience or maintained quality despite adverse conditions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "as sharp as ever" is to act as an adjectival phrase used for comparison. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to describe that a quality or attribute is maintained at the same level as before. Ludwig examples show it frequently modifying nouns related to mental acuity, wit, or performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as sharp as ever" is a common and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to emphasize the continuation of a positive attribute or ability. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used to describe that a quality or attribute is maintained at the same level as before. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to reassure or commend maintained capabilities, often despite challenging circumstances. While the phrase is versatile, it should be used judiciously to highlight resilience or maintained quality rather than expected sharpness. Alternatives like "still as astute as always" or "remains as keen as before" can provide nuanced variations for different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still as astute as always

Focuses on the mental acuity aspect, using 'astute' to emphasize intelligence and perception.

remains as keen as before

Emphasizes the intensity and eagerness, suggesting a continued enthusiasm or interest.

just as incisive as in the past

Highlights the precision and clarity of thought or action, particularly in analysis or criticism.

as clever as they come

Emphasizes intelligence, wit, and ingenuity to an impressive degree.

undiminished in their ability

Focuses on the preservation of skill and capacity without reduction.

retains its cutting edge

Emphasizes the maintenance of a competitive advantage or superior quality.

remains at the top of their game

Indicates that someone is still performing at their highest level of capability.

still has it

A more casual way of expressing that someone still possesses a desired quality or skill.

continues to excel

Highlights ongoing high performance and superior achievement.

as good as new

Suggests something has been restored to its original, excellent condition.

FAQs

How can I use "as sharp as ever" in a sentence?

You can use "as sharp as ever" to indicate that someone or something is still performing at a high level, like in the sentence, "Despite his age, his mind is "as sharp as ever"".

What does "as sharp as ever" mean?

"As sharp as ever" means that someone or something is maintaining its effectiveness, intelligence, or quality, just like it did in the past. It suggests no decline in ability or performance.

What can I say instead of "as sharp as ever"?

You can use alternatives like "still as astute as always", "remains as keen as before", or "just as incisive as in the past" depending on the specific context.

Is "as sharp as ever" a formal or informal expression?

"As sharp as ever" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the audience and the specific situation. It's generally considered appropriate for most situations.