as simple as they come

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as simple as they come" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very straightforward or uncomplicated. Example: "This recipe is as simple as they come; even a beginner can make it without any trouble."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

This really is as simple as they come, with no cooking involved at all: it's just an assembly job that won't take more than a few minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

WINtA's concept is as simple as they come – tap the screen to match the song's rhythm – but its accessibility is artful, and it takes real skill to master some of the complex melodies of the eclectic tracklist.

The Guardian - Tech

The service is as simple as they come.

TechCrunch

Called Button, the game is about as simple as they come.

TechCrunch

As a Twitter app, 140inABottle is as simple as they come.

TechCrunch

Griffin's latest iPod speaker, the Amplifi, is about as simple as they come, and the price tag won't leave you wishing you hadn't just bought that $4 Starbuck's cafe mocha.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The solutions Growing Stage came up with are as simple as they are charming.

The New York Times

Ultimately, the reason why the Bulls are having trouble coming together might be as simple as they're desperately missing a healthy Joakim Noah.

The Guardian - Sport

Even something as simple as when they came to all of us and said they wanted us to be naked on the billboard for "UnREAL".

Huffington Post

There's only one label that really matters, only one adjective a writer wants to precede their name, and it's of course a very simple one, and as secular as they come: great.

The Guardian - Books

"There's a bit of the Kevin Pietersen in his ability to improvise and make risky shots look simple and he is as cool as they come under pressure".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as simple as they come" when you want to emphasize the complete lack of complexity or difficulty in something. It's best used when the simplicity is a key feature you want to highlight.

Common error

While effective, "as simple as they come" is an idiom. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive or clichéd. Vary your language with synonyms like "extremely straightforward" or "remarkably uncomplicated" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as simple as they come" functions as an idiomatic expression used to emphasize the ease and straightforwardness of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, highlighting its role in describing uncomplicated matters.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as simple as they come" is a correct and usable idiom that you can use to emphasize the extreme simplicity of something. According to Ludwig, it effectively conveys that something is very straightforward and uncomplicated. While predominantly found in neutral contexts like news and media, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional writing to avoid an overly casual tone. Remember, while it is very straightforward, overusing the phrase can reduce the quality of your copy making it sound repetitive or uninspired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easy as pie

A common idiom synonymous with effortless simplicity.

plain and simple

Emphasizes directness and lack of embellishment.

uncomplicated as can be

Highlights the easiness with a structure variation.

nothing could be easier

Uses a hyperbolic statement to emphasize the simplicity.

child's play

Suggests something is so simple it could be done by a child.

incredibly basic

Focuses on the fundamental nature of something being easy to understand.

extremely straightforward

Replaces idiomatic expression with a direct description of simplicity.

remarkably uncomplicated

Emphasizes the lack of complexity in a noticeable way.

deceptively easy

Highlights the simplicity despite possible initial appearances of difficulty.

utterly rudimentary

Stresses the elementary level of the subject matter.

FAQs

How can I use "as simple as they come" in a sentence?

You can use "as simple as they come" to describe something that is very straightforward or uncomplicated. For example, "This recipe is "as simple as they come"; even a beginner can make it without any trouble".

What phrases are similar to "as simple as they come"?

Alternatives to "as simple as they come" include "easy as pie", "plain and simple", or "extremely straightforward" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "as simple as they come" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "as simple as they come" is an idiom and leans towards informal language. For formal writing, consider using more direct and less idiomatic phrases like "extremely straightforward" or "remarkably uncomplicated".

What is the difference between "as simple as it gets" and "as simple as they come"?

The phrases "as simple as it gets" and "as simple as they come" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. Both emphasize the ultimate simplicity of something. The slight difference lies in focus: "as simple as it gets" emphasizes the limit of simplicity, while "as simple as they come" emphasizes the inherent simplicity.