coarse as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coarse as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in similes to compare the roughness or texture of something to another object or concept. Example: "The fabric felt coarse as sandpaper against my skin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

He was sincerely religious, and the character of the court became less coarse as soon as he became king.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Therefore, three gypsum particle size were analysed, classified as fine, medium, and coarse, as well as one clinker collected before grinding.

Construction and Building Materials

Two methods were adopted for production of fine recycled aggregates from crushed concrete wastes: first, produces coarse as well as fine aggregates (R1); second, produces only fine aggregate (R2).

Construction and Building Materials

Particle (both fine and coarse) as well as PAH concentrations were determined from samples collected by Versatile Air pollution Sampler (VAPS) [ 17].

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Coarse, he thought again, coarse as cabbage.

The New York Times - Magazine

The baritone Lucio Gallo looked suitably suave but sounded coarse as the toreador Escamillo.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

The aji salsa can be as coarse or as smooth as you like.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It may be fine-grained (as chalcedony), massive granular, or in coarse crystals as large as tens of tons.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The coarse- as well as fine-delay lines are implemented as a cascade of variable-delay elements based on shunt capacitor delay element or single-ended Schmitt trigger.

Microelectronics Journal

The show contains adult content including violence, coarse language, as well as sexual and drug references.

Wikipedia

Again, if you can work the coarse sand as easily as with he find sand, at striking speed proceed.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coarse as" in similes to vividly describe textures, behaviors, or qualities that are rough, unrefined, or unpolished. For example, "His humor was as coarse as sandpaper."

Common error

Avoid using "coarse as" in professional or academic writing where a more refined or precise descriptor is required. Consider alternatives like "rough" or "unrefined" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coarse as" primarily functions as a comparative conjunction phrase. It's used within similes to describe something by comparing its rough, unrefined, or crude qualities to something else. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "coarse as" functions as a comparative conjunction, predominantly used in similes to vividly describe roughness or lack of refinement. It's grammatically correct and most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, as supported by Ludwig. When using "coarse as", it's best to consider the tone, avoiding overuse in highly formal settings where more precise descriptors may be appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rough like

Focuses on tactile texture, emphasizing the unevenness or ruggedness.

crude like

Highlights the unrefined or basic nature of something, particularly in terms of quality or sophistication.

unrefined as

Similar to crude, this emphasizes a lack of refinement or polish.

harsh as

Emphasizes severity or unpleasantness in texture or quality.

grainy as

Specific to texture, indicating a visible grain or granular quality.

uneven like

Highlights the lack of uniformity in a surface or quality.

bumpy as

Describes a surface with raised portions or irregularities.

scratchy as

Implies a surface that causes irritation or discomfort upon contact.

rugged as

Suggests a durable but rough or uneven texture.

granular like

Similar to grainy, emphasizing a composition of small particles.

FAQs

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

You can use "coarse as" in similes to describe something rough or unrefined, for example: "The fabric was as coarse as burlap." or "His language was as coarse as his manners".

What are some alternatives to "coarse as"?

You can use alternatives like "rough like", "crude like", or "unrefined as" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "coarse as" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "coarse as" when you want to vividly describe something's rough or unrefined quality. Be mindful of the tone of your writing, as it may not be suitable for formal contexts.

What's the difference between "coarse as" and "rough as"?

While both phrases describe something not smooth, "coarse as" often implies a lack of refinement or polish, whereas "rough as" focuses more on the physical texture. The choice depends on the specific quality you want to emphasize.