as tender as

USAGE SUMMARY

"as tender as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare two or more objects to each other. For example, "My grandfather's hands were as tender as a baby's skin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

News & Media - Food

News & Media - Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

The meat or fish in each was as tender as could be.

The New York Times

It's as tender as prime rib but far meatier.

The New York Times

When cooked, they are as tender as the heart.

The New York Times - Food

"When you cook meat that slowly, it really becomes as tender as meat could ever be.

The Washington Post

That kind of comfort is beyond language, as tender as a sigh.

The New Yorker

"Get up, child," the judge told Phul, his voice as tender as his gaze on her.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

These are as tender as can be and come with a wonderfully rich, spicy sauce.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tea-smoked chicken with a scallion and ginger chutney was about as tender as chicken gets.

The New York Times - Food

Satisfyingly spicy and as tender as I've had.

The Guardian - Travel

The beef is fine, sliced thin across the grain and as tender as cheap meat gets, a perfect midweek dinner with a friend.

The New York Times - Food

Nor was a venison chop, served with a juniper reduction, quite as tender as it could have been.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as tender as" to create vivid comparisons, especially in descriptions of food, textures, or emotions. For example, "The meat was as tender as butter."

Common error

Avoid using "as tender as" with overused comparisons (e.g. "as tender as a baby's skin") to maintain freshness and impact in your writing. Instead, opt for more original and evocative comparisons.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as tender as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe the degree of tenderness of something by comparing it to something else known for its tenderness. As Ludwig AI points out, this construction is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

News & Media - Food

20%

News & Media - Arts

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as tender as" is a grammatically correct and usable comparative phrase in English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's primarily used to vividly describe tenderness by comparing it to another object or concept. While frequently found in food writing and general descriptive contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for various communication styles. Remember to avoid clichés and consider alternative phrases like "equally tender to" for more nuanced expressions. It appears that it is more frequent in "News & Media" contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as tender as

Adds emphasis to the comparison, highlighting the similarity in tenderness.

equally tender to

Focuses on equivalent tenderness, replacing "as" with "to" for a slightly more formal tone.

comparably tender to

Uses a more formal adjective to indicate a similar level of tenderness.

of similar tenderness to

Emphasizes the quality of tenderness being comparable, altering the structure slightly.

with the same tenderness as

Highlights the shared quality of tenderness, using a more descriptive phrasing.

no less tender than

Expresses that something is equally or even more tender, focusing on the minimal difference.

matches the tenderness of

Indicates that the tenderness is on par with something else, changing the verb structure.

possessing equivalent tenderness to

A more formal and verbose way of saying something has the same level of tenderness.

exhibiting a tenderness akin to

Uses more sophisticated vocabulary to describe a similar level of tenderness.

characterized by comparable tenderness to

A descriptive and somewhat formal way of highlighting the similar characteristic of tenderness.

FAQs

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

Use "as tender as" to compare the tenderness of one thing to another. For example, "The slow-cooked beef was "as tender as" butter."

What are some alternatives to "as tender as"?

Some alternatives include "equally tender to", "just as tender as", or "comparably tender to". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "as tender as"?

Yes, "as tender as" is grammatically correct and a standard construction for making comparisons in English.

How does "as tender as" compare to "more tender than"?

"As tender as" indicates that two things have a similar level of tenderness, while "more tender than" indicates that one thing is comparatively more tender than the other.