as volatile as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as volatile as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the instability or unpredictability of one thing to another. Example: "The stock market can be as volatile as a roller coaster, with prices fluctuating dramatically in a short period."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Q. Do you expect more market volatility? A. I don't know if conditions will be as volatile as they were, but I expect volatility to stay high.

The New York Times

Now many are as volatile as equities.

The New York Times

Syria now is as volatile as Afghanistan was back then.

The Guardian

And monthly spending was just as volatile as income.

Harvard Business Review

It was about as volatile as presidential elections have been on average since 1972.

Harvard University

But as volatile as he can be, Hunter is also adept at handling more delicate situations.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Tobias's life was apparently as volatile as his investment returns.

The New York Times

Patriotism is as volatile as any emotion; once released, it can assume ugly forms.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm ready for it.' " Locally, no issue in recent years seems as volatile as cockfighting.

The New York Times

In fact, its returns are about half as volatile as the stock market as a whole.

The New York Times

Mr. Colburn, on the other hand, is as volatile as Mr. Gilburne is sedate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as volatile as", ensure that both compared subjects are genuinely understood to exhibit unpredictable or unstable behavior to maintain clarity and relevance for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "as volatile as" when comparing entities that are not inherently prone to instability; this can create a nonsensical comparison that confuses readers. For example, saying "the rock was as volatile as a feather" doesn't make sense since a rock is stable, and the comparison is misused.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as volatile as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to draw a parallel between the levels of instability or unpredictability of two distinct entities. Ludwig AI indicates that this comparison is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as volatile as" is a commonly used comparative construction that is grammatically correct, according to Ludwig. Its primary function is to compare the degree of instability or unpredictability between two subjects, serving to emphasize this characteristic in a relatable way. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it also appears in formal business and academic discussions. When using this phrase, ensuring the comparison is relevant and accurate is crucial for maintaining clarity. Ludwig's examples across various sources demonstrate its versatility in describing diverse scenarios, from financial markets to emotional states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as unstable as

Replaces "volatile" with "unstable", focusing on the lack of stability.

equally erratic as

Substitutes "volatile" with "erratic", highlighting unpredictable behavior.

as unpredictable as

Emphasizes the lack of predictability instead of volatility.

comparably fluctuating to

Uses "fluctuating" to convey the concept of rapid changes, similar to volatility.

similarly unsteady to

Replaces "volatile" with "unsteady", stressing the lack of stability.

as prone to change as

Focuses on the susceptibility to change, a key aspect of volatility.

just as changeable as

Emphasizes the characteristic of being changeable.

akin to the instability of

Uses a more formal tone to describe similarity in instability.

mirrors the turbulence of

Focuses on mirroring the turbulent aspect.

reflects the unpredictability of

Highlights how something reflects the unpredictability.

FAQs

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

Use "as volatile as" to compare the degree of instability or unpredictability of two different things. For example: "The political situation is "as volatile as" the stock market during a financial crisis".

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

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "just as unstable as", "equally erratic as", or "as unpredictable as" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to use "as volatile as"?

Yes, the phrase "as volatile as" is grammatically correct and widely used to compare the instability or unpredictability of two subjects. It follows the standard 'as + adjective + as' comparative structure.

What makes something "as volatile as" something else?

Something is described "as volatile as" something else when it exhibits a similar degree of unpredictability, instability, or rapid change. The comparison implies that both subjects are prone to sudden and significant shifts.