- 1-minute read
- 11th December 2022
As Cold as Ice: A Guide to As…As Expressions
There are several kinds of as…as expressions in English. They are used to make comparisons between two things or people using an adjective or adverb.
Here are some common as…as expressions:
As clean as a whistle
As cool as a cucumber
As busy as a bee
As cheap as dirt
As clear as mud (i.e., something is not clear)
As dead as a doornail
As easy as pie
As good as new
Here are some example sentences:
My mother is crazy, but my dad is as cool as a cucumber.
You are as busy as a bee this week! You should rest this weekend.
That car is as cheap as dirt. I think there’s something wrong with it.
I broke my leg, but after surgery, it’s as good as new!
That teacher’s lecture was as clear as mud.
Read on to learn more about the different types of as…as expressions.
As + adjective/adverb + as
This type of as…as expression is used to make comparisons.
Today’s weather is as bad as yesterday’s. It has been snowing all day.
He’s as cold as ice.
(He is not friendly or he is very cold.)
Not + as + adjective/adverb + as
This construction is used for comparisons that are not equal.
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(Your cake is better.)
He is not as fast as his friend.
(His friend is faster than him.)
This competition is not as difficult as the previous one.
(It is easier than the previous competition.)
As + adjective/adverb + as + possibility/ability
This as…as expression is used to express a possibility or ability.
(This is where the abbreviation ASAP comes from.)
She got to the school as quickly as she could.
(Same meaning as ASAP.)
If you have the money, go to as many places as you can.
As much as / as many as
We use as much as with uncountable nouns.
There was not as much food as I had wanted at the wedding.
We use as many as with countable nouns.
(We can have an equal number of pencils.)
She has as many dolls as the princess of England.
(The girl has many dolls.)
I would like as many bags as my mother has.
There are many ways to make comparisons in English. Using as…as expressions is a great place to start! If you need help with making comparisons or with English grammar, the experts at Proofed will proofread your first 500 words for free!