be as precarious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be as precarious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is unstable or uncertain, often in comparison to something else. Example: "The economy can be as precarious as a house of cards, easily collapsing under pressure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Implementation will be as precarious as ever.

The Economist

The younger relationships in the play may be as precarious as a crucial bit of furniture — a key prop — that exists to fall apart, but the long-married Delia and Ernest, one senses, will endure for as long as men of a certain class and breeding can speak volumes, as does Mr. Le Prevost's Ernest, with a decisive harrumph.

The New York Times - Arts

New polls -- some with Obama's public support rising and others with it dropping -- show that the political climate can be as precarious as the economic one.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Her professional progress is as precarious as her social life.

The New York Times

Never in the modern age has work been as precarious as it is today.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its survival has been as precarious as his biography is brief.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To do so is as precarious as any journey into the woods.

The Guardian

Still, the fate of the asteroid program is as precarious as ever, particularly after last month's midterm elections.

The New Yorker

The quest is as precarious as it is urgent because the fourth quarter, which begins next week, can generate as much as half their profits for the year.

The New York Times

Thus did the tyrant demonstrate that the fortunes of men who hold power are as precarious as the predicament in which he had placed his guest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He leads the New Jersey-based emo band Thursday, known for entropic songs that are as precarious as the relationships they chronicle.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be as precarious" in your writing, ensure the comparison is clear and that the item being compared to is readily understood by the reader. For example, "The negotiation can be as precarious as walking a tightrope."

Common error

Avoid using "be as precarious" when a simpler term like "risky" or "unstable" would suffice. Overusing the word "precarious" can make your writing sound overly dramatic or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be as precarious" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to describe something's state of instability or uncertainty by comparing it to another situation or object. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be as precarious" is a grammatically correct comparative phrase used to emphasize the instability or risk associated with a subject by drawing a comparison. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in encyclopedias and scientific literature. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison is clear to the reader. Alternatives include "be so unstable" or "be quite risky", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. While generally neutral in tone, overuse of "precarious" can make writing sound overly dramatic, so choose your words carefully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be so unstable

Changes the comparative structure using "so" instead of "as", slightly altering the emphasis.

be quite risky

Replaces "precarious" with "risky", focusing on the element of danger.

be just as insecure

Replaces "precarious" with "insecure", emphasizing a lack of stability or safety.

be that uncertain

Substitutes "precarious" with "uncertain", highlighting the lack of predictability.

be equally hazardous

Replaces "precarious" with "hazardous", emphasizing the potential for harm.

be similarly vulnerable

Uses "vulnerable" instead of "precarious", focusing on susceptibility to negative effects.

be nearly as perilous

Substitutes "precarious" with "perilous", stressing the high risk of danger.

be almost as critical

Focuses on the importance and potential for negative outcomes.

be as touch-and-go

An idiomatic alternative indicating a situation with an uncertain outcome.

be as dicey

Informal alternative indicating a risky or uncertain situation.

FAQs

How can I use "be as precarious" in a sentence?

You can use "be as precarious" to describe a situation that is unstable or uncertain, often in comparison to something else. For example: "The situation can be as precarious as a house of cards."

What can I say instead of "be as precarious"?

You can use alternatives like "be so unstable", "be quite risky", or "be that uncertain" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be as precarious" or "be precarious"?

"Be precarious" is a simpler way to state something is unstable or risky. "Be as precarious" is used to make a comparison. For example: "The job security is precarious" versus "The job security can be as precarious as freelance work".

What's the difference between "be as precarious" and "be precarious"?

"Be precarious" simply states a condition. "Be as precarious" draws a comparison, emphasizing the degree of instability by relating it to something else known to be unstable.