These stairs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "These stairs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific set of stairs that are nearby or relevant to the context. Example: "These stairs lead to the second floor of the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

These stairs are painted a yummy lipstick red, as are the cavernous corridors off which the meeting rooms open.

The New York Times - Arts

These stairs make passing through east halls on a wheelchair impossible.

Visualization in Engineering

On these stairs this looks like history in motion.

The New York Times - Arts

"Certainly they have to be really careful on these stairs.

The New York Times

It is no wonder that these stairs draw spirits.

The New York Times

We made these stairs that were quite ethereal".

The New York Times

As for the stairs, "we see these stairs as your everyday exercise," Mr. Hasselberg said.

The New York Times

"They don't have to use these stairs to egress the building," Mr. Doban said.

The New York Times

Why take these stairs, with a whole house to choose from?

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

In the proposed JEC method, an ellipsoidal kernel was used to reduce these stair-like artifacts by smoothing them along the local edge direction.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

How to Get Started: To take your fitness level to new heights, try these stair workouts from our friends at Greatist, designed for beginner and advanced athletes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "these stairs" when referring to a specific set of stairs that are immediately relevant or physically present. Avoid using it for abstract or hypothetical situations.

Common error

Avoid using "these stairs" when discussing metaphorical or conceptual progressions. Opt for more abstract language like "this path" or "these steps" in those scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "These stairs" functions primarily as a demonstrative phrase, specifying a particular set of stairs. Ludwig examples show its use in directing attention to physical locations, such as "These stairs lead to the second floor."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

15%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "These stairs" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to refer to a particular set of stairs. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-established in English. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, followed by wiki and scientific sources. Related phrases include "this staircase" and "these steps". When using "These stairs", ensure that the context involves a specific, physically present set of stairs rather than abstract concepts. Alternatives like "this path" or "this sequence" may be more appropriate for metaphorical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

These steps

Replaces a more general term with a specific one, but remains nearly identical in meaning.

This staircase

Focuses on the architectural structure, shifting from multiple steps to a single unit.

This flight of stairs

Specifies a continuous series of stairs between two levels, adding architectural context.

The mentioned stairs

Adds a sense of prior reference, indicating that the stairs have been previously discussed.

The steps before us

Emphasizes the immediate presence and location of the stairs.

The stairway here

Emphasizes the location of the stairway rather than the specific stairs themselves.

The staircase nearby

Highlights proximity, referring to a staircase that is close in location.

The aforesaid stairs

Uses a formal term to refer to stairs previously mentioned, altering the tone.

Stairs in question

Indicates the stairs are under discussion or scrutiny, changing the focus.

These escalators

Replaces a standard staircase with a moving one, thus changing the mechanism but keeping the general function of vertical transit.

FAQs

How can I use "These stairs" in a sentence?

Use "These stairs" to refer to a particular set of stairs that are nearby or being pointed out. For example, "These stairs lead to the attic."

What's the difference between "These stairs" and "This staircase"?

"These stairs" refers to the individual steps themselves, while "This staircase" ("This staircase") refers to the entire structure or flight of stairs as a single unit.

Can I use "These stairs" to talk about metaphorical steps?

While "These stairs" typically refers to physical stairs, you can use it metaphorically if the context clearly indicates a sequence of steps or stages. However, consider alternatives like "these steps" for abstract contexts.

What are some alternatives to "These stairs"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "this stairway", "this flight of stairs", or simply "these steps".