The very
common
fixed figurative expression as ___
___ as a(n) ___
is often used in informal
conversation.
Here are
two more examples that were not given
earlier:
as _____ as
a(n) _____ (#6)
as neat
as
a pin: very neat; very
clean
and orderly
Lupe must spend a lot of time
cleaning
her house.
It's always
as neat as a pin.
as sharp
as a tack: very clever; very
intelligent
(used
for people). (Note: Sharp,
here,
means
"quick
to
understand.")
| A: |
|
Sandra's son seems
very bright. |
| |
|
|
| B: |
|
Oh, he is. In fact, he's
as sharp
as a tack!
He gets nothing but A's
in school. |
a
general expression with
as _____ as a(n) _____
In addition
to specific, fixed expressions with
as ___
as a(n) _____ , there is also a general expression
used
with many
different adjectives:
as _____ as _____ can
be
This expression
means "very
(adjective)," "unusually
(adjective)," or "totally
(adjective)"
and is generally
used
to describe people. The adjectives
show opinions
or judgments of
value:
That baby is unusually cute.
/
That baby is as
cute as
cute can be.
Mr. Smith is quite nice. /
Mr. Smith is as nice
as nice can
be.
She
was extremely rude. /
She was as rude as rude
can be.
He's unusually patient.
/
He's as
patient as patient
can be.
Kenny is unusually honest.
/
Kenny is as
honest as
honest can be.
Susie's children are exceptionally
polite.
Susie's children
are as
polite as
polite can be.
These
strawberries are unusually
sweet. /
These strawberries
are as sweet
as
sweet can
be.
| 
