as something as

USAGE SUMMARY

"as something as" is a correct and usable construct in written English.
It is typically used as a comparison between two things, with the meaning of "equally or similarly [adjective or adverb]." It is often used to emphasize the degree or extent of a quality or characteristic. Example: "The coffee was as hot as molten lava, burning my tongue with each sip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Historians will remember the advent of the smartphone as something as important as the elevator,  air-conditioner and automobile.

The New York Times - Tech

Historians will remember the advent of the smartphone as something as important as the elevator, air-conditioner and automobile.

The New York Times - Tech

After committing a crime with a printed weapon, a person could simply melt down the plastic and reprint it as something as mundane as a statue of Buddha.

The New York Times

This year's Nobel prize in literature winner, Mo Yan, who has been criticised for his membership in China's Communist party and reluctance to speak out against the country's government, has defended censorship as something as necessary as airport security checks.

The Guardian

If it wasn't for that kind of madness, along with that business that starts with B but can't be mentioned in the same breath as something as important as this wonderful drama, there'd be only one subject in Derry for the next six weeks.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Organizations like ours are important because there is a demand for necessities the general population often takes for granted, such as something as simple as deodorant," Aly Flores of TransLatin@s Coalition told The Huffington Post.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

As I said earlier, I think it may very well be that some women go undiagnosed because it's not spoken of as something-as a condition that women can be diagnosed with.

BMC Women's Health

Not even something as yummy as caramel.

The New York Times

Something as innocuous as that?

The Guardian - Tech

Something as mundane as soy?

The New York Times - Food

This much is clear: Russians are hurtling toward something — something as old as confrontation, or something as new as dialogue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as something as" when you want to emphasize the unexpectedness or surprising nature of a comparison. For instance, "Defending censorship as something as necessary as airport security checks" highlights the controversial nature of the comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "as something as" when a direct comparison using "as [adjective] as" suffices. Overusing "something" can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. For example, instead of "as something as simple as deodorant", simply write "as simple as deodorant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as something as" functions primarily as a comparative, highlighting a similarity or equivalence between two subjects. It's often used to emphasize the degree of a quality or characteristic, especially when the comparison is unexpected or surprising, like in the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as something as" is a grammatically correct but relatively uncommon comparative phrase used to draw parallels and emphasize similarities between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity. While it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, its impact can be maximized by employing it when the comparison is somewhat unexpected or requires additional emphasis. Remember that simpler comparative structures might be more effective in certain situations, avoiding potential redundancy. It's a valid construct, but strategic and judicious use is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally as

Directly asserts equality between two items, removing the ambiguity of "something".

as similar as

Focuses specifically on the similarity between two things, omitting the "something" element.

just as

Implies a parallel or correspondence between two things, simpler and direct.

as much as

Emphasizes quantity or degree of similarity rather than a specific quality.

on par with

Indicates equality in status or quality, often used in professional contexts.

as comparable as

Highlights the comparability of two items, often in a more formal context.

to a similar degree

Similar to "to the same extent as" but focuses on the degree of likeness.

to the same extent as

Offers a more verbose and formal alternative to express equivalence.

as akin to

Suggests a natural similarity or relatedness between two things.

of equal importance to

Shifts the focus to the importance or value of the items being compared.

FAQs

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

Use "as something as" to compare two things, emphasizing a shared quality. For example, "Historians will remember the advent of the smartphone as something as important as the elevator".

What phrases are similar to "as something as"?

Alternatives include "as similar as", "equally as", or "just as", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "as something as" grammatically correct?

Yes, "as something as" is grammatically correct, although it can sometimes sound redundant if a simpler comparison using "as...as" would suffice. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

When should I avoid using "as something as"?

Avoid using "as something as" when a simpler, more direct comparison is possible. Overuse can make your writing sound awkward or verbose. Consider if "as much as" or a more direct comparison would be clearer.