cannot be easy as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be easy as" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete comparison and should be followed by a comparative structure, such as "as it seems" or "as it looks." Example: "This task cannot be easy as it appears to be."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Waiting tables at Rainbow Thai cannot be easy, as the kitchen, under the stewardship of Chanh Tong, a Laotian chef, is in the basement and the servers have to rush dishes up and down stairs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Obtaining the loans of artworks by artists as renowned as Ms. Rovner cannot be easy, I know.

The New York Times

It cannot be easy making your home debut as the most expensive English footballer in front of Fabio Capello as well as the man who put up the money.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a club that surely has plenty of wannabe members as it cannot be easy being on the receiving end of mass, sometimes hysterical abuse week after week.

Independent

As with Ms. Eaglen, it cannot be easy for this powerhouse mezzo-soprano to adjust her voice for Bellini.

The New York Times - Arts

It cannot be easy.

The New York Times - Food

This cannot be easy either.

The New York Times

Still, it cannot be easy trying to embody legends.

The New York Times

It cannot be easy being the only girl in class.

The Guardian

Such films cannot be easy to pull off.

The New Yorker

It cannot be easy, reading your retrospective obituary at breakfast.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending a comparison, ensure your sentence includes a complete comparative structure such as "cannot be as easy as it seems" or consider using alternatives such as "cannot be as simple as".

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be easy as" without completing the comparison. This phrase often needs a following clause to specify what it is not as easy as, for example, "cannot be as easy as it looks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be easy as" functions as an incomplete comparative statement. According to Ludwig AI, it's not correct in standard written English and requires a completion to form a valid comparison. It implies a task or situation has a level of difficulty but doesn't fully specify the comparative element.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Wiki

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "cannot be easy as" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect due to its incomplete comparative structure. It's better to avoid this phrase and opt for grammatically sound alternatives like "cannot be as simple as" or complete the comparison, clarifying what the subject is not as easy as. The phrase is used across news, scientific, and wiki contexts, suggesting a neutral register, but its usage should be approached with caution to maintain grammatical accuracy. Always ensure your writing is clear and grammatically sound, especially in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be as simple as

Replaces "easy" with "simple" and adds a comparative structure to clarify the intended meaning.

cannot be as straightforward as

Substitutes "easy" with "straightforward", providing a more precise comparison.

cannot be as effortless as

Uses "effortless" instead of "easy", highlighting the absence of required effort.

cannot be as painless as

Replaces "easy" with "painless", focusing on the lack of discomfort or difficulty.

cannot be as uncomplicated as

Employs "uncomplicated" instead of "easy", stressing the complexity involved.

cannot be as facile as

Uses "facile" instead of "easy", suggesting that the situation is more nuanced than it appears.

cannot be as elementary as

Replaces "easy" with "elementary", emphasizing the lack of basic understanding.

cannot be as undemanding as

Substitutes "easy" with "undemanding", highlighting the amount of effort or resources required.

cannot be as unchallenging as

Uses "unchallenging" instead of "easy", emphasizing the intellectual or physical difficulty involved.

cannot be as manageable as

Replaces "easy" with "manageable", focusing on the level of control or administration required.

FAQs

How should I properly use the phrase "cannot be easy as" in a sentence?

The phrase "cannot be easy as" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It often requires a completion to make sense, such as "cannot be as easy as it seems". Alternatives like "cannot be as simple as" may be more appropriate.

What are some alternatives to "cannot be easy as"?

Depending on the context, consider using phrases like "cannot be as straightforward as", "cannot be as effortless as", or "cannot be as painless as".

Is it correct to say "cannot be easy as"?

No, "cannot be easy as" is not considered correct in standard written English. It sounds incomplete. It's better to use a full comparison like "cannot be as easy as it appears" or rephrase it entirely.

What is the difference between "cannot be easy as" and "cannot be as easy as"?

"Cannot be easy as" is grammatically incomplete and generally not used. "Cannot be as easy as" is the correct form for making a comparison. For example: "The solution cannot be as easy as it looks".