as strained as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as strained as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of tension or difficulty in a situation to something else that is also strained. Example: "Her voice was as strained as a rubber band stretched to its limit during the argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

While the native, eight-membered ring disulfide (peptide I) is somewhat strained, it is not as strained as the disulfide bond of lipoic acid, yet it is turned over 11-fold faster.

Biochemistry

Sudan's relations with the West — especially Britain — are as strained as ever.

The New York Times

Relations between the West and Russia are as strained as they have been since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The New York Times - Sports

The correlation is as strained as it is personal, but it reflects his belief that, as he put it, "you create your own context".

The New Yorker

Even the haughtiest fashion magazines pay ritual lip service to the allure of "real-sized" women, though such articles in Vogue or Harper's Bazaar usually sound as strained as Herbert von Karajan would introducing a Bavarian oompah band.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Chen's camera placement often feels too much like a bid to mix things up (as strained as some of the fireworks in the WikiLeaks feature "The Fifth Estate"), and the occasionally goofy soundtrack cues seem to have been bought in bulk.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Focus and morale have been strained as much as budgets and manpower.

The Guardian - Opinion

And once again: arrange the whole trip so that you are strained as little as possible and don't save money on that.— N.B.

Princeton University

As mentioned previously, the criterion is that the steel should be strained as close as possible to its yield strain.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Immobilization of microbial cells moving through a porous media is influenced by mechanisms such as physical straining as well as adsorption to porous media.

Water Research

New houses stand out for all to admire, straining as high as zoning laws permit, competing for water views.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as strained as" to vividly compare the level of stress or tension in a situation or relationship to a well-understood benchmark, creating a clear image for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "as strained as" repeatedly within a short piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "tense", "stressed", or "pressured" to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

"As strained as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe the degree to which something experiences tension, stress, or difficulty, comparing it to a known or understood level of strain. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as strained as" is a grammatically correct and usable comparative phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's employed to vividly illustrate the level of tension, stress, or difficulty by comparing it to something commonly understood to be strained. It’s most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. To enhance writing, avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "tense" or "stressed". When using "as strained as", make sure the comparison is clear and relatable to the audience. Ludwig's examples underscore its effective usage in characterizing situations or relationships under considerable pressure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under as much pressure as

Focuses on the pressure aspect, highlighting the external forces causing strain.

as tense as

Emphasizes the feeling of nervousness or anxiety, shifting the focus from the cause to the emotional state.

as stressed as

Highlights the stress experienced, similar to 'tense' but slightly broader in implication.

as fraught as

Implies a situation filled with anxiety and potential problems, adding a sense of foreboding.

as burdened as

Highlights the weight of responsibility or problems, focusing on the load being carried.

under similar duress to

Emphasizes the hardship or suffering experienced, highlighting the adverse conditions.

experiencing comparable strain to

More formal and emphasizes the act of experiencing strain rather than just being strained.

bearing as much weight as

Highlights the burden or load, similar to 'burdened' but more literal.

subject to equal tension as

More technical and emphasizes the forces at play, often used in engineering or scientific contexts.

in a comparable state of difficulty to

Focuses on the overall difficulty of the situation, highlighting the challenges faced.

FAQs

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

You can use "as strained as" to compare the level of tension or difficulty in a situation or relationship to something else. For example, "The negotiations were "as strained as" a tightrope walker's balancing act."

What are some alternatives to "as strained as"?

Alternatives include "as tense as", "as stressed as", or "as fraught as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "as strained as possible"?

While grammatically correct, saying something is "as strained as possible" can be redundant. It implies the maximum level of strain, which might be better expressed with phrases like "extremely strained" or "at its breaking point."

What's the difference between "strained" and "tense"?

"Strained" often implies an external force or pressure causing the tension, while "tense" can refer to an internal state of nervousness or anxiety. A muscle might be "strained" due to overuse, while a person might be "tense" before a big presentation.