as thin as paper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'as thin as paper' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to compare the thinness of one thing to that of paper. For example, "The farmer's prize cow was as thin as paper."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"The walls are as thin as paper," she used to say.

The New York Times

Almost as thin as paper, almost as crisp as a potato chip.

The New York Times - Food

"Reality is as thin as paper, and betrays with all its cracks its imitative character," Schulz wrote in one story.

The New Yorker

The hopper should be as thin as paper on the edges and no thicker than cardboard in the center.

The New York Times

The more gloriously trashy the teen show, the more likely the parents are to be as thin as paper.

The New York Times - Arts

Dozens of potential bidders sit before him in various states of intimidation, clutching bidding cards as thin as paper and heavy as brick.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Don't use black, however, because the marks you make later on will not show, and be sure your paper is not as thin as notebook paper, because thinner paper will tear.

WikiHow

It peels cheese into round cuplike shavings as thin as tissue paper, and works marvelously with chocolate, too.

The New York Times - Food

Patrick's voice on the other end of the phone sounded as thin as the paper he used to write on.

The New York Times

He wondered if she'd still recognize him, maybe give him some carne seca wrapped in a tortilla as thin as tissue paper.

The New Yorker

She described the experience in her writings as a battering "through a thick stone wall that was growing as thin as tissue paper," and then as a "floating upon the billowing clouds of glory".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as thin as paper" to vividly describe something that has minimal thickness, emphasizing its fragility or delicacy. It's effective when you want to create a strong visual image.

Common error

Avoid using "as thin as paper" when describing abstract concepts or situations where physical thinness isn't relevant. It's best suited for tangible objects where the comparison to paper adds meaningful imagery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as thin as paper" functions primarily as a simile, which is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using 'as' or 'like'. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase serves to describe something with minimal thickness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as thin as paper" is a commonly used and grammatically correct simile that serves to vividly describe the extreme thinness of an object. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. This phrase, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples, is frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, and it functions to create a strong visual comparison. While versatile, it's best used when describing tangible objects where the thinness is a notable characteristic. Remember that alternatives like "paper-thin" or "wafer-thin" can provide a more concise or nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paper-thin

A compound adjective directly indicating the thinness of paper, offering a more concise alternative.

as fine as paper

Replaces 'thin' with 'fine' maintaining the simile structure but altering the descriptive adjective.

wafer-thin

Uses 'wafer' as the reference point for thinness, implying a delicate and brittle thinness.

as delicate as paper

Shifts the focus to the delicacy associated with thin paper, adding a nuance of fragility.

thinner than a sheet of paper

Expands the comparison to explicitly mention a sheet of paper, emphasizing the extent of thinness.

extremely thin

A more straightforward expression that avoids simile, directly stating the high degree of thinness.

as gossamer as paper

Uses 'gossamer' to describe something very light and delicate.

of negligible thickness

Focuses on the lack of measurable thickness, a more technical way to describe extreme thinness.

thin to the point of transparency

Highlights the near-transparency resulting from extreme thinness.

incredibly slender

Uses 'slender' to indicate thinness, often applied to objects with some length or height.

FAQs

How can I use "as thin as paper" in a sentence?

You can use "as thin as paper" to describe something with very little thickness, such as "The walls of the old house were "as thin as paper", making it easy to hear conversations from the next room."

What does it mean when something is described as "as thin as paper"?

When something is described as "as thin as paper", it means it is extremely thin, much like a sheet of paper. It can also imply fragility or insubstantiality.

What are some alternatives to saying "as thin as paper"?

Some alternatives to "as thin as paper" include "paper-thin", "wafer-thin", or "as fine as paper", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "as thin as paper"?

It's appropriate to use "as thin as paper" when describing the physical thinness of an object. For example, you might describe the crust of a pizza, the walls of a building, or a slice of meat "as thin as paper".