as thick as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as thick as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two things that are similar in thickness. For example, "The pages in this book were as thick as a dictionary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was as thick as ever overhead.

The New Yorker

It is as thick as shadows allow.

The Washington Post

The air was as thick as mud.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's not as thick as it was.

The Guardian - Music

They are often as thick as a left tackle's fist.

The New Yorker

The atmosphere is proportionally as thick as the exterior fuzz.

The New Yorker

Simmer until gravy is as thick as heavy cream.

The New York Times - Food

Threats of violence were as thick as mosquitoes.

The New York Times - Sports

Nor are the ice floes as thick as before".

The Guardian

The Guardian is not as thick as the Indy was.

The Guardian

I recall also her hair, strands as thick as strings.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as thick as", ensure that the comparison is clear and relatable to the reader. For instance, comparing the thickness of a book to a brick is more impactful than comparing it to an abstract measurement.

Common error

Avoid using "as thick as" with objects that don't naturally have thickness. For example, saying "the problem was as thick as fog" might be confusing; consider using a more suitable comparison like "dense as fog" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as thick as" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe the thickness of something by comparing it to another object or substance. Ludwig examples show comparisons like "as thick as mud" and "as thick as shadows allow".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

17%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as thick as" is a versatile tool for making comparisons related to thickness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. With 66 examples, Ludwig shows that "as thick as" appears most frequently in news and media, followed by academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison is relatable and avoid applying it to objects where thickness isn't a relevant attribute. Alternatives include phrases like "as dense as" or "comparable in thickness to", which can offer more precise comparisons depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as dense as

Focuses on the compactness or concentration of something, rather than just its physical thickness.

as substantial as

Emphasizes the robustness or solidity of something, implying a considerable amount of material.

comparable in thickness to

A more formal way of saying something has a similar thickness to something else.

of similar depth to

Shifts the focus from thickness to depth, while still indicating a comparable measurement.

on par with the density of

Highlights the comparison in terms of density, indicating a similar level of compactness.

matches the consistency of

Indicates a similar level of viscosity or texture, rather than purely physical thickness.

has the same magnitude as

Focuses on the overall size or extent, rather than specifically thickness.

bears resemblance in width to

Highlights similarity in width, which is related to thickness but emphasizes a different dimension.

equal to in volume

Shifts the focus to volume, indicating a similar amount of space occupied, not just thickness.

like the heaviness of

Implies the subject feels heavy, or of a high weight.

FAQs

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

You can use "as thick as" to compare the thickness of one object to another, such as "The book was "as thick as a brick"" or "The fog was "as thick as pea soup"".

What are some alternatives to saying "as thick as"?

Alternatives include phrases like "as dense as", "as substantial as", or "comparable in thickness to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "as thick as" in formal writing?

While "as thick as" is generally acceptable, consider the specific context. In formal writing, more precise or technical comparisons might be preferable. For instance, using a measurement instead of "as thick as a thumb" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "as thick as" and "as dense as"?

"As thick as" refers to physical thickness, while ""as dense as"" refers to how tightly packed something is. You might say "The book was as thick as a brick", referring to its size, but "The crowd was as dense as a swarm of bees", referring to how tightly packed the people were.