to be as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the degree or extent of something to another thing, often followed by an adjective or adverb. Example: "She wants to be as successful as her mentor in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And investors seem to be as well.

The New York Times

To be as good as possible.

The New York Times

Try to be as objective as possible.

Harvard Business Review

What are the eight? to be as pure as space.

Yale University

"I tried to be as flexible as possible," she notes.

Cornell University

Try to be as understanding as possible about grades.

Cornell University

Try to be as comfy as you can possible be.

Harvard University

I'll try to be as clear as possible.

Cornell University

The bike is designed to be as universal as possible.

Cornell University

Our industry needs to be as well.

Forbes

Radial evagination appears to be as effective as circumferential infolding.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be as", ensure the comparison is clear and logical. Avoid ambiguity by specifying what is being compared and the basis of the comparison.

Common error

Avoid illogical comparisons. Ensure that you're comparing like with like. For example, instead of saying "His dedication is to be as the best", say "His dedication is to be as good as the best" or "His goal is to be the best."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be as" typically functions as part of an infinitive phrase used for comparison. It sets the stage for indicating that something should reach a certain degree or quality, relative to another item or standard, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

32%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be as" serves as a comparative element within sentences, aiming to express a desired level or quality. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically sound and widely utilized across diverse fields like academia, news, and general writing. When employing this phrase, clarity in comparison is essential to avoid ambiguity, as is logical consistency between compared items. Remember, ensure your sentences maintain relevance and accuracy with comparable objects. With careful construction, "to be as" can be a valuable tool in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to remain as

Emphasizes the continuation of a current state.

to act as

Focuses on performing a specific role or function.

to seem as

Highlights the appearance or impression of something.

to serve as

Indicates the purpose or function something fulfills.

to work as

Implies employment or functioning in a particular capacity.

to function as

Similar to "to serve as" but emphasizes operational capabilities.

to exist as

Focuses on the form or state of existence.

to stand as

Suggests serving as a symbol or representation.

to qualify as

Highlights meeting certain requirements or standards.

to pass as

Implies being accepted or perceived as something, often deceptively.

FAQs

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

The phrase "to be as" introduces a comparison. For example, "She strives "to be as innovative" as possible in her field."

What are some alternatives to using "to be as"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "to be like", "to be similar to", or simply rephrase the sentence to directly compare the subjects.

Is it better to say "to be as good as" or "to be as good that"?

"To be as good as" is the correct and grammatically sound phrase for making comparisons. "To be as good that" is incorrect.

What's the difference between "to be as" and "to be like"?

"To be as" is generally used for comparisons based on a specific quality or attribute, whereas "to be like" is a more general comparison indicating resemblance.