a high hill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a high hill" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a hill that has a significant elevation compared to its surroundings. Example: "We decided to hike up a high hill to get a better view of the valley below."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Antananarivo stands on a high hill.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is a tiny walled town on top of a high hill, population about 250.

The New York Times

Assad's presidential palace, exposed on a high hill above Damascus, was left off the target list.

The Guardian

A few summers ago in Maine, I built a tower on a high hill overlooking the sea.

The New York Times

She was discovered on the slopes of the Cerro Bola, a high hill with the words "Read the Bible" lettered on it, which overlooks Juárez.

The New Yorker

In 1553 the conquistador Pedro de Cieza de León stated: "At Cuzco the buildings commence on the sides of a high hill and extend over a wide plain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

With three set points, Nadal must serve up a higher hill.

The New York Times

From his viewpoint on a higher hill further off, Raglan, the British commander, spotted the Russians on the ridge hauling away British cannon they'd captured.

The Guardian - Travel

If we climbed the hill's crest we'd find a higher hill and then another hill until we reached an oceanor gave up and turned backto where the land descends step by slow step to bring us exactly here, where we began, stunnedby raw sunlight yet in the dark.

The New Yorker

He admitted that Clear has a higher hill to climb in terms of attracting user attention, but overall felt the competition would be beneficial.

TechCrunch

This might have resulted from their different calcium-dissociation profiles: G-CaMP has a higher Hill coefficient, despite its lower dissociation constant (Kd), than Fluo-4.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a location, use "a high hill" to clearly convey that the hill's elevation is a key feature of the landscape.

Common error

Avoid redundancy by not using "a high hill" when the context already implies significant height. For example, instead of "the high mountain hill", simply say "the high mountain".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a high hill" functions as a noun phrase, where "high" modifies the noun "hill". As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig show it describing locations or features in landscapes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

14%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a high hill" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that serves to describe a prominent geographical feature. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is suitable for various registers, but is most often found in neutral contexts such as news reporting and academic writing. When choosing alternative phrases, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as steepness, prominence, or impressiveness. Be mindful of avoiding redundancy by not adding "high" if the elevated nature of the land is already implied by the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an elevated hill

Replaces "high" with a more formal synonym, "elevated".

a tall hill

Substitutes "high" with "tall", a more common synonym.

a steep hill

Focuses on the incline rather than just the height.

a lofty hill

Uses "lofty" to suggest impressiveness and height.

a prominent hill

Highlights the hill's visibility and importance in the landscape.

an imposing hill

Emphasizes the hill's size and the feeling it inspires.

a commanding hill

Implies the hill offers a strategic advantage or view.

a raised hill

Simply denotes that the hill is above the surrounding area.

a dominating hill

Highlights the hill's influence on the surrounding landscape.

a significant elevation

Shifts focus from the hill itself to the degree of height difference.

FAQs

How can I use "a high hill" in a sentence?

You can use "a high hill" to describe a landscape feature, such as "The castle was built on "a high hill" overlooking the valley", or to set a scene, such as "They climbed "a high hill" to get a better view".

What is the difference between "a high hill" and "a tall hill"?

While ""a high hill"" and "a tall hill" are often interchangeable, "high" might subtly emphasize the elevation relative to the surroundings, whereas "tall" focuses on the vertical measurement. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What can I say instead of "a high hill"?

You could use alternatives like "an elevated hill", "a steep hill" (if the slope is significant), or "a prominent hill" (if it stands out in the landscape).

Is it correct to say "a higher hill" instead of "a high hill"?

Yes, but the two have slightly different meanings. "A high hill" describes a hill that is generally tall. "A higher hill" implies a comparison to another hill. For example: "If we climbed the hill's crest we'd find "a higher hill" and then another hill until we reached an ocean".