nothing like as

USAGE SUMMARY

'nothing like as' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that two things are not similar. For example: "This version of the software is nothing like as effective as the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Zamora was nothing like as generous when opportunity knocked for him following a catalogue of Derby errors.

The Guardian - Sport

Meanwhile, it now seems that Britain's slowdown has been nothing like as severe as once seemed likely.

The Economist

But nothing like as dramatically as middle-income blacks have.

The Economist

(Other anode materials expand, but by nothing like as much).

The Economist

My condition is nothing like as bad as that.

The Guardian - Arts

Zellweger's facial rearrangement is nothing like as radical as Rourke's.

The Guardian - Film

This last part is nothing like as impressive.

The Guardian - Books

Mr Cook's pledge was nothing like as grand as its reception suggested.

The Economist

It's not actually that complicated – certainly nothing like as knotty as the Libor price-rigging.

Independent

This year's race looks to be nothing like as close as that of 2006.

The Economist

But they are nothing like as great as the vested interests claim.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nothing like as", make sure the comparison is logical and relevant to the context. Ensure it enhances understanding rather than causing confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "nothing like as" when you intend to show similarity or equality. This phrase is specifically for highlighting differences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nothing like as" functions as a comparative adverbial phrase. It's used to express that something does not possess a quality to the same degree as something else. Ludwig examples show its use in comparing various attributes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nothing like as" is a common and grammatically sound comparative phrase used to highlight significant differences. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English for emphasizing disparity. With a neutral register, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as formal and business settings. The phrase functions as a comparative adverbial, effectively drawing distinctions. To ensure correct usage, avoid using it for positive comparisons and be mindful of the subtle difference between "nothing like as" and similar expressions like "not as". Remember to use the alternatives "nowhere near as", "not nearly as", or "not remotely as" depending on the context of the comparison and intended level of difference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nowhere near as

Emphasizes that something is significantly less than another.

not nearly as

Highlights a notable difference in degree or extent.

not remotely as

Stresses the lack of any real similarity.

not quite as

Indicates a slight difference or shortfall.

substantially different from

Highlights a significant degree of dissimilarity.

considerably less than

Focuses on a notable reduction in quantity or degree.

markedly dissimilar to

Emphasizes a noticeable and distinct contrast.

distinctly unlike

Highlights the clear and obvious differences.

bears little resemblance to

Indicates a minimal degree of similarity.

a far cry from

Suggests a large gap or difference between two things.

FAQs

How do I use "nothing like as" in a sentence?

Use "nothing like as" to emphasize that something is significantly different or less than something else. For example, "This new model is "nothing like as" efficient as the previous one".

What are some alternatives to "nothing like as"?

You can use alternatives such as "nowhere near as", "not nearly as", or "not remotely as" to convey a similar meaning of significant difference.

Is it correct to say "anything like as" instead of "nothing like as"?

"Anything like as" has a different meaning. "Nothing like as" indicates dissimilarity, while "anything like as" suggests a possibility of similarity, though usually small. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects your intended comparison.

What's the difference between "nothing like as" and "not as"?

"Nothing like as" emphasizes a greater degree of difference than "not as". While "not as" simply states that something is less than another, "nothing like as" implies a substantial disparity.