Do you use the expression of "not so much A as B"?

Ted T

New member
Hi, I have a question about English grammar.

I found following sentences in my text book.

The drama was not so much a tragedy as a comedy.

The drama was more (of) a comedy than a tragedy.

Do Americans use or know these expressions?
Do you often use them when you write something?

I am Japanese studying Enlgish as a foreign language.

it is often said that some of the sentences in text books issued in Japan are too old and not appropriate to use these days.

So I wanted to confirm if it is acceptable to use these expressions.

I would appreciate your comments.

Thanks.
 
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