as sharp as it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as sharp as it was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the current state of something to its previous state, often in terms of clarity, intelligence, or effectiveness. Example: "The knife was still as sharp as it was when I first bought it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The number of people subsequently declined, as had happened in Minneapolis, though in St . Paulthe drop was not nearly as sharp as it was for its western neighbour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It's just not as sharp as it was," Mussina said.

The New York Times - Sports

"The play may not be as sharp as it was leading up to the unexpected break".

The New York Times - Sports

His eyesight has improved since he was injured, but he said it is still not as sharp as it was.

The New York Times - Sports

The partisan edge in the debate was every bit as sharp as it was in the Clinton years.

The New York Times

He went on, "We still have the economy expanding in the first quarter of 2002, but the turnaround is not as sharp as it was".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Winton's prose can be inventive and as sharp as it is simple.

The Guardian - Books

Phillips' direction is as sharp as it is energetic and faithful to the source material, serving Stoppard beautifully.

The Guardian

In The Times, Ben Ratliff called the book "as sharp as it is tedious, both empathetic and pointlessly cruel".

The New York Times - Books

"Autobiography," as sharp as it is tedious, both empathetic and pointlessly cruel, has been published in England as a Penguin Classics paperback.

The New York Times - Books

Writing in The New York Times, Ben Ratliff said that "Autobiography," is "as sharp as it is tedious, both empathetic and pointlessly cruel," adding that Morrissey, the former singer for The Smiths, is "a pop star of unusual writing talent".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing past and present states, ensure the context clearly defines what 'it' refers to. This prevents ambiguity and ensures the comparison is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "as sharp as it was" to romanticize the past without factual basis. Ensure the comparison is grounded in reality, rather than an idealized memory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as sharp as it was" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe a noun by comparing its current state to a previous, more acute or effective condition. Ludwig's examples show its application in contexts ranging from physical sharpness to mental acuity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as sharp as it was" is a grammatically sound and versatile comparative expression used to denote a decline from a previous state of acuity or effectiveness. According to Ludwig, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating its applicability across various domains. While the phrase is generally correct, ensure the context clearly defines what 'it' refers to and avoid using it to romanticize the past without factual basis. Consider alternatives like "as keen as it had been" or "not as effective as before" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as keen as it had been

Changes "sharp" to "keen", emphasizing eagerness or enthusiasm rather than physical sharpness.

as acute as it once was

Replaces "sharp" with "acute", suggesting a high degree of perception or sensitivity that has diminished over time.

as precise as it used to be

Substitutes "sharp" with "precise", focusing on accuracy and exactness rather than sharpness.

as cutting as it had been

Emphasizes a biting or critical quality, rather than physical sharpness or mental acuity.

as incisive as it previously was

Replaces "sharp" with "incisive", focusing on the ability to analyze and understand things clearly, highlighting a past state.

as crisp as it formerly was

Replaces "sharp" with "crisp", implying a freshness or clarity that has lessened.

not quite what it was

A more general way of saying something has declined from its previous quality or state.

not as effective as before

Focuses on the diminished effectiveness of something.

not as good as it used to be

A simple and direct way to say something has declined in quality.

has lost its edge

Implies a loss of advantage or effectiveness, where "edge" is used metaphorically to represent sharpness.

FAQs

How can I use "as sharp as it was" in a sentence?

Use "as sharp as it was" to compare a current state to a past state, often implying a decline. For example, "His wit wasn't "as sharp as it was" during the debate".

What does "as sharp as it was" mean?

It means something is no longer as acute, effective, or clear as it used to be. It implies a comparison between a past and present state.

Which is correct, "as sharp as it was" or "as sharp as it is"?

"As sharp as it was" refers to a past state, while "as sharp as it is" describes the current state. The correct choice depends on the context and the intended comparison. For instance, you might say, "The knife isn't "as sharp as it is" needed to be" (describing the present state).

What are some alternative phrases to "as sharp as it was"?

Alternatives include phrases like "as keen as it had been", "not as effective as before", or "not quite what it was", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.