as to drown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as to drown" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express a reason or purpose related to drowning, but it may require additional context for clarity. Example: "He was so overwhelmed by his emotions that he felt as to drown in his sorrow."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The second sensible decision was the one on Friday to cancel the race after it had become obvious that the voices of negativism had grown so loud as to drown out all others.

The New York Times

Obviously, you can use speech in ways that undermine free speech: you can threaten violence, or shout so loudly as to drown out other voices, or campaign in favor of laws that would restrict free speech.

The Guardian

There's no doubt that, for years now, the steady drumbeat for cutting Social Security benefits has been so deafening as to drown out any discussion about what those cuts would actually mean for millions of Americans.

Huffington Post

"The rapidity of their movements, together with their loud yells, were truly alarming", recalled la Colonie, who, in order to drown out the shouts and hurrahs, ordered his drummer to beat charge "so as to drown them with their noise, lest they should have a bad effect upon our people".

Wikipedia

For example, if your speaker system is so loud as to drown out all nearby sounds (especially sirens), turn it down to a more reasonable level.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Ms. Varis, who said she deliberately avoided learning to type so as never to drown in a typing pool, took a job as a chemist with Fine Organics, a New Jersey manufacturer of industrial cleaning compounds.

The New York Times

Males were twice as likely as females to drown in these types of water bodies, but this was not significant.

BMJ Open

Buoyed by the support of the Koch brothers and others, the Trump administration will do everything possible over the next three years to bankrupt the economy through tax "reform," pack the courts with anti-liberal judges, shed federal personnel, gut federal regulations, and otherwise ensure that the government it hands to its successor will be as close to drowned as possible.

Huffington Post

Two or four violins up front; three or four guitars, sized from ukelele to cello; and three trumpeters, playing as delicately as a brass section can, so as not to drown out the singer.

The New York Times - Magazine

Do this by pressing A on your Xbox 360 controller twice in quick succession while swinging in a forward motion, all the while making sure you are as high up enough from the water below so as not to drown, but low enough so as not to hit the terrain and drop off.

WikiHow

We turned the volume up as loud as we could to drown out their screams, but it could never get loud enough.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as to drown", ensure the context is clear. It often implies a deliberate action or purpose. Consider alternatives like "in order to drown" for better clarity if needed.

Common error

Avoid using "as to drown" in passive constructions where the actor is unclear. This can lead to ambiguity. Instead, rephrase to clearly state who or what is causing the drowning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as to drown" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the reason or aim behind an action. This is similar to using "in order to" or "so as to" but specifically related to the act of drowning. Ludwig indicates that this is an acceptable but not so common use.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as to drown" functions as a purpose connector, similar to "in order to drown", but is less common. Ludwig suggests it's acceptable, though clearer alternatives exist. The phrase primarily appears in news and media sources, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in the context and actor to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives for formal writing. Due to its rare usage, it's crucial to ensure it effectively communicates the intent without sounding awkward.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to drown

Emphasizes the direct purpose or intention of drowning something.

so as to submerge

Focuses on the action of covering completely with water, similar to drowning.

with the purpose of drowning

Highlights the deliberate intent behind the action.

intending to drown

Expresses the intention to cause something to drown.

to cause to drown

Focuses on the act of causing something to be submerged and die.

so that it would drown

Indicates a result where drowning is the outcome.

to the point of drowning

Highlights the intensity and potential consequence of drowning.

with the aim of drowning

Specifies a goal or objective to drown something.

for the sake of drowning

Indicates an action taken solely to drown something.

leading to drowning

Emphasizes the consequence or result, where the end result is drowning.

FAQs

How can I use "as to drown" in a sentence?

The phrase "as to drown" is used to express purpose or consequence, similar to "in order to drown" or "so as to drown". For example: "The music was turned up so loud "as to drown" out the screams".

What are some alternatives to "as to drown"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in order to drown", "so as to submerge", or "with the purpose of drowning". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is "as to drown" formal or informal?

The phrase "as to drown" is generally considered acceptable but not particularly common in formal writing. More straightforward options like "in order to drown" might be preferred in formal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "as to drown"?

Use "as to drown" when you want to express a clear purpose or consequence related to drowning, such as intentionally submerging something or someone. Ensure the context makes the intent clear.