as thin as what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as thin as what" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used in informal contexts when asking for a comparison or clarification about something being thin. Example: "I don't understand your point. Can you explain it to me? What do you mean by 'as thin as what'?"

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are no details of what Death said to Famine on shaking hands ("wow, you're almost as thin as I am", probably) or what disgusting smear Pestilence left on War's armour.

BBC

An engineer for the coal company also told investigators that the company was aware years ago that the natural barrier separating the impoundment from the abandoned mine was as thin as 15 feet, less than what was required by law.

The New York Times

The new method involves filaments as thin as five nanometers in width — thinner than what the industry hopes to achieve by the end of the decade using standard techniques.

The New York Times - Science

What is left is a pale yellow juice, as thin as water, as concentrated and saline as oyster liquor.

The New York Times - Food

Vick was as thin as a post.

The New York Times - Sports

They are both as thin as whippets.

The Guardian - Travel

His legs were as thin as saplings.

The New York Times

Wires as thin as toothpicks, wires as thick as thumbs.

The New York Times

You can use cells as thin as a hundred micrometers, or even thinner.

MIT Technology Review

The air could be thin there, but not as thin as where airplanes fly.

The New York Times

Spread manure as thin as possible to promote dry down.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as thin as what", ensure the context is informal and the comparison is clear to your audience. If aiming for precision, consider providing a direct comparison, such as "as thin as a sheet of paper".

Common error

Avoid using "as thin as what" without providing a clear reference point. This phrase can be vague. Instead, opt for specific comparisons that resonate with your audience, like "as thin as parchment" or "as thin as a razor blade".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as thin as what" functions as an interrogative phrase, prompting for a specific point of comparison to illustrate thinness. Examples found by Ludwig indicate its use in seeking clarification within descriptions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as thin as what" serves as an interrogative expression used to solicit a clearer comparison when describing the thinness of something. Ludwig's analysis suggests that while grammatically acceptable, its use is best suited for informal contexts. More precise language may be preferred in formal writing. Consider alternatives like providing a direct comparison or asking for specific examples to enhance clarity. Due to the absence of exact matches, Ludwig AI highlighted the awkwardness of the query, recommending more natural phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as slender as what

Substitutes "thin" with "slender", maintaining the comparative structure.

as fine as what

Uses "fine" as a synonym for "thin", altering the specific characteristic.

as delicate as what

Replaces "thin" with "delicate", emphasizing fragility and slightness.

how thin is it comparable to

Rephrases the question to focus on the degree of thinness and a point of comparison.

as wispy as what

Substitutes "thin" with "wispy", suggesting a light and airy quality.

what is it as thin as

Inverts the sentence structure while retaining the core comparison concept.

compared to what is it thin

Rearranges the sentence to highlight the comparison of thinness.

to what can its thinness be compared

Formalizes the question, focusing on the comparison of thinness.

what object is it equally thin to

Seeks a specific object that matches the degree of thinness.

what is comparable in thinness

Focuses on finding something comparable in terms of thinness.

FAQs

What does it mean to describe something as "as thin as what"?

The phrase "as thin as what" is used to ask for a comparison to illustrate how thin something is. It's an incomplete simile that prompts the speaker to provide a specific example.

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

You would use "as thin as what" when you want someone to clarify their comparison by providing an example. For instance, if someone says "This metal is as thin as…", you could respond with "As thin as what?" to prompt them to finish the comparison.

What can I say instead of "as thin as what" to sound more precise?

For more precise language, you could ask "What specific object are you comparing its thinness to?" or use direct comparisons like "as thin as paper".

Is "as thin as what" grammatically correct?

While grammatically acceptable in informal contexts, "as thin as what" can sound awkward. It's better to use specific comparisons or ask for clarification using clearer phrasing.