easy as can be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "easy as can be" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is very simple or straightforward. Example: "The instructions were easy as can be, making the task quick to complete." Alternative expressions include "as easy as pie," "a piece of cake," and "child's play."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It keeps the kitchen cool, feeds the family and is about as easy as can be.

The New York Times - Food

Pasta with clams, one of the recipes in Mark Bittman's new Flexitarian column, is one of my favorite dishes and is easy as can be when it comes to wine.

The New York Times

Cheap, cheerful and easy as can be.

TechCrunch

Adding your own self-serve ad is as easy as can be.

TechCrunch

Easy As Can Be This is a tough drive with lots of shooters.

TechCrunch

Again, there is no doubt that the iPhone/iPod touch played a huge role in all of this, but my point is that Apple made it as easy as can be for customers by placing the App Store on top of iTunes.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Current lipid and glycemic goals, however, are relatively easy to achieve, as can be seen from our study, and their effects are therefore easier to take into consideration.

Diabetes Care

So far they have gotten off easy, as nearly as can be determined.

The New York Times - Books

In fact, it is very easy to obtain such agreement, as can be seen when Fig.  7 (model predictions) is compared with observations in Fig.  6.

Annals of Botany

"The Old Magic" addresses mortality, heartbreak and perseverance amid touches of easy listening from bygone eras, suave as can be.

The New York Times - Arts

But at the same time, we're trying to make app creation as easy as it can be (on the same level as setting up something like a blog)." The company should be fully launching in the next couple of months.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "easy as can be" when you want to emphasize the simplicity of a task or process in a casual and relatable way.

Common error

While "easy as can be" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it in highly formal or professional writing where a more direct and neutral term like "straightforward" or "simple" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "easy as can be" functions as an idiomatic expression used to emphasize the simplicity or lack of difficulty of something. It acts as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its ease. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "easy as can be" is a grammatically correct and understandable idiom used to express that something is exceptionally simple. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's most appropriate in informal settings and aims to reassure or encourage. While not frequent in formal writing, its usage is common in news and media, and is a great way to make your writing more relatable. If a more formal tone is needed, consider alternatives like "straightforward" or "simple".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as easy as pie

A common idiom emphasizing simplicity; slightly more informal than the original phrase.

a piece of cake

Similar to "as easy as pie", this idiom is widely understood and implies minimal effort.

child's play

Implies extreme ease, often suggesting something is too simple for the speaker.

effortless

A more direct adjective describing something requiring no effort.

simple as that

Highlights the straightforward nature of something, focusing on lack of complication.

a cinch

An informal term for something very easy to do.

no sweat

An informal expression indicating that something is not a problem or difficult.

easy peasy

A playful and very informal way to describe something as easy.

straightforward

Describes something direct and uncomplicated, like instructions or a process.

a breeze

Implies effortless ease, suggesting something is done quickly and easily.

FAQs

How to use "easy as can be" in a sentence?

You can use "easy as can be" to describe something that is very simple or straightforward. For example, "The instructions were "easy as can be", making the task quick to complete."

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

You can use alternatives like "as easy as pie", "a piece of cake", or "child's play" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "easy as can be"?

The phrase "easy as can be" is appropriate in informal settings or when aiming for a relatable tone. In formal or professional contexts, consider using more neutral alternatives like "straightforward" or "simple".

What's the difference between "easy as can be" and "effortless"?

"Easy as can be" is an idiom that emphasizes simplicity in a conversational way. "Effortless" is a more direct adjective that describes something requiring minimal effort and is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.