as wise as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as wise as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression used to compare the wisdom of two or more people. For example, "My grandmother is as wise as an owl."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He's still around, as wise as ever.

The Guardian - Tech

Virginia Woolf is as wise as any on this subject.

The New York Times

He was as wise as a Jedi Master.

The Guardian - Travel

Because he is as wise as he is vicious and as generous as he is wise.

The Guardian - Books

"We must be as wise as the serpent and as gentle as the dove..".

The New Yorker

But will it be as wise, as learned, or even as diverse?

The Guardian

Today, that doesn't look quite as wise as it did then.

The New York Times

His words were as wise as those of his rival tyrant, Hitler, were not.

The Economist

Estelle (the fabulous Aunt Estie) was as wise as she was beautiful.

The New York Times

That's about as wise as buying Crumbs' stock because you love their cupcakes.

The New York Times

"We must be as wise as the serpent and as gentle as the dove..".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as wise as", consider the specific context and choose a comparison that is relevant and easily understood by your audience. For example, "as wise as Solomon" might resonate with those familiar with biblical references.

Common error

Avoid comparisons that are clichés or don't make logical sense. Saying someone is "as wise as a fox" might be confusing if the context doesn't imply cunning or cleverness, instead of wisdom.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as wise as" functions primarily as a comparative idiom, used to highlight the degree of someone's wisdom by likening it to a commonly understood benchmark. Ludwig AI shows its usage in comparing individuals to figures known for their wisdom.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as wise as" is a common and grammatically sound comparative idiom used to emphasize someone's wisdom. Ludwig AI confirms that it is suitable for general use. While versatile, it is most frequently found in News & Media sources, conveying a neutral tone. When using "as wise as", consider your audience and context to choose a comparison that adds meaningful emphasis to the description. Be mindful of clichés to avoid confusion, instead consider alternatives like "as prudent as" or "as sensible as" for a nuanced description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as prudent as

This alternative replaces 'wise' with 'prudent', emphasizing carefulness and good judgment.

as sensible as

This alternative uses 'sensible' instead of 'wise', highlighting practicality and rationality.

as clever as

This alternative swaps 'wise' for 'clever', focusing on intelligence and quick-wittedness.

as astute as

Replacing 'wise' with 'astute' emphasizes sharpness and the ability to accurately assess situations.

as judicious as

This alternative uses 'judicious' instead of 'wise', stressing sound judgment and careful decision-making.

as intelligent as

This alternative replaces 'wise' with 'intelligent', focusing on general intellectual capacity.

as discerning as

Substituting 'wise' with 'discerning' highlights the ability to perceive subtle differences and make refined judgments.

as knowledgeable as

This alternative uses 'knowledgeable' rather than 'wise', focusing on the extent of one's information and understanding.

as sagacious as

Using 'sagacious' instead of 'wise' emphasizes profound wisdom and insight, often associated with age and experience.

as insightful as

Replacing 'wise' with 'insightful' highlights the ability to understand hidden meanings or complex situations.

FAQs

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

You can use "as wise as" to compare someone's wisdom to a well-known figure or concept. For instance, "She is "as wise as" an owl" or "He is "as wise as" Yoda."

What phrases are similar to "as wise as"?

Similar phrases include "as prudent as", "as sensible as", or "as clever as depending on the specific nuance you want to convey".

Is there a difference between "as wise as" and "very wise"?

"As wise as" implies a comparison, while "very wise" simply indicates a high degree of wisdom. "As wise as" suggests a specific point of reference for comparison, while "very wise" does not.

When is it appropriate to use the idiom "as wise as"?

Use "as wise as" when you want to emphasize the degree of someone's wisdom by comparing it to a known standard or figure. It is often used to add emphasis or a figurative element to the description.