not as crazy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not as crazy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing the level of craziness of two or more things, indicating that one is less crazy than the other. Example: "I thought the idea was going to be wild, but it turned out to be not as crazy as I expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Now they're not as crazy.

Independent

Not as crazy as it sounds, guys.

The New Yorker

Just not as crazy as this.

The Guardian - Sport

(This is not as crazy as it sounds.

The New Yorker

That is not as crazy as it sounds.

The New York Times

But I'm not as crazy as I used to be".

The New York Times

That's not as crazy as it might sound.

The Guardian

This idea is not as crazy as it seems.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He wasn't as crazy as we were".

The New Yorker

He laughed, to let me know he wasn't as crazy as all that.

The New York Times

"That was the moment that we realized there was a little bit of us in Paul, and Paul realized we weren't as crazy as everybody tried to make us out to be".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not as crazy" to draw a contrast between two ideas or actions, implying that one is more sensible or less extreme than the other. For example, "Investing in renewable energy might seem risky, but it's "not as crazy" as ignoring climate change."

Common error

Avoid using "not as crazy" without a clear point of comparison. Ensure your sentence provides a reference to what is considered "crazy" to provide context. For example, instead of saying "That idea is "not as crazy"," specify "That idea is "not as crazy" as it sounds."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not as crazy" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to indicate that something is less irrational, absurd, or extreme than something else. As noted by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and serves to moderate perceptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not as crazy" is a versatile phrase used for making comparisons, primarily within news and media. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and effective for softening potentially negative perceptions. To use it best, ensure a clear point of comparison is established. Alternatives like "less insane" or "more reasonable" can add nuance. While the phrase is very common, it's essential to provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. The expert rating highlights its solid grammatical standing and common usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less insane

Replaces "crazy" with a synonym implying a similar level of mental instability but with a different connotation.

not quite so wild

Substitutes "crazy" with "wild" to soften the intensity of the comparison.

not as irrational

Emphasizes the lack of logical reasoning rather than general craziness.

not so extreme

Focuses on the degree of extremity rather than sanity.

less eccentric

Replaces "crazy" with "eccentric," suggesting a deviation from the norm rather than a lack of sanity.

not as absurd

Highlights the nonsensical or illogical aspect of the situation.

less nonsensical

Similar to "not as absurd", but emphasizing a lack of meaning or reason.

not as outlandish

Suggests the idea is less bizarre or unconventional.

not as far-fetched

Indicates the idea is more plausible or believable.

more reasonable

Offers a direct contrast, suggesting the alternative is logical or sensible.

FAQs

How can I use "not as crazy" in a sentence?

Use "not as crazy" to compare two things, indicating one is less extreme or irrational than the other. For example, "His plan might seem odd, but it's "not as crazy" as doing nothing at all."

What are some alternatives to "not as crazy"?

You can use alternatives like "less insane", "not quite so wild", or "more reasonable" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not as crazy as"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "not as crazy as" is used to make a comparison between two subjects, indicating that one is less crazy than the other.

What's the difference between "not as crazy" and "less crazy"?

"Not as crazy" and "less crazy" are largely interchangeable, but "not as crazy" often implies a comparison to a specific alternative, while "less crazy" simply suggests a lower degree of craziness. For instance, "This plan is "not as crazy" as your last one" versus "This plan is less crazy."