as threatening as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'as threatening as a' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to compare a threatening situation or thing to something less threatening. For example, you could say, "It wasn't as threatening as a wild bear growling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"You're not as threatening as a man".

The New Yorker

But they're about as threatening as a knock-knock joke.

The New York Times - Arts

And the environment isn't as threatening as a bar.

The New York Times

Small and mottled with rust, it looked as threatening as a rotten avocado.

The New York Times

They probably think Kyrgios is about as threatening as a village fete.

The Guardian - Sport

Arsène Wenger has become as threatening as a grandfather tending his tomatoes.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Kipling describes Baloo's greatest treat as being a feast of termites and ants – as a vegetarian he is certainly not as threatening as bear as some can be!

The Guardian

The projectile it fires looks as good as harmless, a golden orb that's about as threatening as someone tossing you a Christmas bauble.

Vice

Roiling black clouds, as threatening as smoke pouring out of an oil-well explosion; lightning flashes that seem to crack the sky; swarms of black birds, restlessly coiling and intertwining — the visions that torment Curtis Michael Shannonn), who works for a mining operation in Ohio, are spectacular, but there's nothing sci-fi about them.

The New Yorker

Really, Neil? 15th over: England 41-0 The New Zealand bowlers are about as threatening as meeting the Mr Muscle man down a dark alley at the moment.

The Guardian - Sport

The Soviet Union used to take the position that bombs were as threatening as missiles and should be subject to a common limit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as threatening as a", ensure the comparison is clear and relatable to your audience. A strong comparison enhances the impact of your statement. For example, comparing a political situation to "as threatening as a" looming war creates a vivid image.

Common error

Avoid using overused or generic comparisons with "as threatening as a". Strive for originality to make your writing more impactful and avoid sounding uninspired. For instance, instead of "as threatening as a storm", consider "as threatening as a sudden market crash".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as threatening as a" functions as a comparative, drawing a parallel between the level of threat posed by one thing to another. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and used to compare threats.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as threatening as a" is a grammatically correct comparative used to equate the level of threat between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for comparing threats, with the examples showcasing its prevalence in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure your comparison is both clear and impactful, avoiding cliché comparisons to maximize the expression's effectiveness. Alternatives like "as dangerous as a" or "as menacing as a" offer nuanced variations for expressing similar levels of danger. Remember to use "a" or "an" correctly, depending on the subsequent word's phonetic sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as dangerous as a

Changes the adjective from 'threatening' to 'dangerous', offering a more direct synonym.

as menacing as a

Replaces 'threatening' with 'menacing', suggesting a more actively intimidating presence.

as alarming as a

Substitutes 'threatening' with 'alarming', focusing on the capacity to cause worry or fear.

as dire as a

Replaces 'threatening' with 'dire', emphasizing the severity or seriousness of the situation.

as perilous as a

Changes 'threatening' to 'perilous', highlighting the risk of injury, loss, or destruction.

as risky as a

Substitutes 'threatening' with 'risky', indicating a high probability of negative consequences.

as serious as a

Replaces 'threatening' with 'serious', focusing on the gravity or importance of the matter.

as grave as a

Changes 'threatening' to 'grave', implying a situation of great concern and potential danger.

as critical as a

Substitutes 'threatening' with 'critical', emphasizing the urgent need for attention or intervention.

as formidable as a

Replaces 'threatening' with 'formidable', suggesting something that inspires fear or respect due to its size, strength, or ability.

FAQs

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

You can use "as threatening as a" to draw a comparison between something that is menacing or dangerous and something else that shares a similar quality. For example, "The economic downturn was as threatening as a storm on the horizon."

What are some alternatives to saying "as threatening as a"?

Some alternatives include "as dangerous as a", "as menacing as a", or "as alarming as a", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "as threatening as a" or "as threatening as an"?

The correct form depends on the article that comes after. Use "a" before words that begin with a consonant sound and "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound. For example, "as threatening as a bear" and "as threatening as an earthquake".

What is the difference between "as threatening as a" and "more threatening than a"?

"As threatening as a" implies a similar level of threat, whereas "more threatening than a" indicates a greater degree of threat. The former suggests equivalence, while the latter suggests comparison on a scale.