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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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As serious as a

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as serious as a" is correct and can be used in written English
It is usually used to emphasize the seriousness or gravity of a situation. For example: "This is as serious as a heart attack. We need to address it quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am as serious as a cardiovascular infarction.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Now, it's just as serious as a traditional straight wedding".

Serena is as serious as a heart attack.

News & Media

The New York Times

Ms. Salvant is as serious as a library, and never corny.

"But I want you to know: I am as serious as a heart attack.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Mr. Lynam said the center would probably not treat anything as serious as a heart attack.

News & Media

The New York Times

But once he hits the water, he is as serious as a recession.

"As serious as a heart attack," she said, with fury in her eyes.

Mr. Robb is either as serious as a stone or the drollest man I have met.

News & Media

The New York Times

For Sandra Perch yesterday morning, it was as serious as a train wreck.

News & Media

The New York Times

An unexplained nontender abdominal mass could be as nonthreatening as a hard stool or as serious as a tumour.

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Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Use the phrase "as serious as a" to emphasize the importance or potential consequences of a situation. It is effective in conveying a sense of urgency or gravity.

⚠ Common error

While "as serious as a" is a common idiom, overuse can diminish its impact. Consider using more specific and descriptive language to convey seriousness, such as "critical" or "urgent".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as serious as a" functions as a simile, comparing the gravity of a situation to something known to be extremely serious. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in emphasizing urgency and potential consequences. It can be used in many contexts and it is mostly correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

⚠ Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as serious as a" is a grammatically correct and very common simile used to emphasize the gravity or importance of a situation. As shown by Ludwig, it is prevalent in News & Media, Academia, and Encyclopedias. While effective, be mindful of overuse and consider more descriptive alternatives like "as grave as a" or "as critical as a". Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "as serious as a" to emphasize the importance or severity of a situation. For example, "The matter is "as serious as a" heart attack and requires immediate attention."

What are some alternatives to "as serious as a"?

Alternatives include "as grave as a", "as critical as a", or "as urgent as a", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the idiom "as serious as a"?

It's appropriate when you want to strongly emphasize the severity or potential consequences of a situation. However, be mindful of overuse and consider if more descriptive language would be more effective.

Is "as serious as a" a formal or informal expression?

"As serious as a" leans towards informal, though it is widely understood. In very formal contexts, consider alternatives like "of critical importance" or "extremely grave".

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Real-world application tested

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