a moderately steep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a moderately steep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slope or incline that is not extremely steep but still has a noticeable angle. Example: "The hiking trail features a moderately steep section that requires some effort to navigate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Hiking

Roads

Slopes

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It has a moderately steep climb that could fluster his other main time-trial rivals.

The New York Times - Sports

One of my early memories visiting the Whiteheads in Derbyshire is of a walk up a moderately steep hill.

The Guardian

The electron environment is much like a well or pit with a flat bottom and a moderately steep wall.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The trail will carry you through the deep forest that runs along the river, then up a moderately steep incline to Tunnel Mountain.

The New York Times - Travel

To see it, you have to hike up a moderately steep path shaded by pine trees and dotted with old cannons.

The New York Times - Travel

A less ambitious outing also has its rewards: Little Monadnock, in Fitzwilliam, is a smaller peak (1,883 feet), with a moderately steep path through thick woods that offers a somewhat challenging hike.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Varahi River basin comprises of varying slopes such as gentle, moderate, moderately steep, nearly level, strong slope, very gentle and very steep, with slope values varying from 0 35%%.

Applied Water Science

Similar in appearance to Baird's beaked whale, this species has a small head, with a long tube-like beak, moderately steep bulbous forehead, small rounded flippers, short slightly falcate dorsal fin, and (usually) un-notched flukes.

Duke University

On the first day, my 25-year-old son Matt and I hiked up the backside of the Chief on a path that started out moderately steep and then got steeper, following a twisting route more than 1,500 feet to the top of the massif and its three rounded peaks.

Los Angeles Times

In other watersheds, the slope is likely to be moderately steep and of moderate length, and the peak discharge is relatively moderate on account of their moderate ruggedness number.

Applied Water Science

The path, which is moderately steep and a tad rocky in spots (definitely calling for sturdy shoes), winds through a peaceful forest of hemlocks, oaks and maples, with weathered wooden benches at convenient spots.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing terrain, specify "a moderately steep" slope to accurately convey the level of difficulty or gradient without exaggerating the incline.

Common error

Avoid using "a moderately steep" when the incline is significantly more or less severe. Use more appropriate descriptors such as "slightly steep" or "very steep" to ensure accurate representation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a moderately steep" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun (e.g., slope, hill, incline). It describes the degree of inclination of the noun it modifies. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a moderately steep" is a grammatically correct and usable adjective phrase that describes a slope or incline that is noticeably angled but not extremely difficult. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most commonly found in news and media, scientific texts, and wikis, serving to inform readers about the degree of inclination. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the level of steepness is accurately represented, and alternative phrases such as "a somewhat steep" or "a fairly steep" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a somewhat steep

Replaces "moderately" with "somewhat", indicating a slightly less intense degree of steepness.

a fairly steep

Substitutes "moderately" with "fairly", suggesting a comparable level of steepness.

a reasonably steep

Swaps "moderately" for "reasonably", indicating an expected or acceptable level of steepness.

a moderately inclined

Keeps the "moderately" modifier while changing "steep" to "inclined", maintaining the same degree.

a gently steep

Uses "gently" to soften the intensity, implying a milder incline compared to "moderately steep".

a not-too-steep

Uses a negative construction to convey the idea of not being excessively steep.

a slightly inclined

Replaces the adjective "steep" with "inclined", offering a less direct description of the slope.

a moderately graded

Replaces "steep" with "graded", focusing on the gradual change in elevation.

a mild incline

Uses the word "mild" to suggest a subtle incline that isn't very steep.

a climbing grade

Describes the steepness as an upward climb with a focus on its difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "a moderately steep" in a sentence?

You can use "a moderately steep" to describe inclines, paths, or slopes that are not extremely steep but have a noticeable gradient. For example, "The trail included "a moderately steep" climb near the summit."

What's the difference between "a moderately steep" and "a slightly steep"?

"A slightly steep" incline suggests a gentle slope, while "a moderately steep" indicates a more noticeable and somewhat challenging gradient.

Which is more accurate, "a moderately steep hill" or "a fairly steep hill"?

Both "a moderately steep hill" and "a fairly steep hill" are acceptable. The choice depends on the specific context, but they generally convey a similar level of incline. "Fairly" may imply a slightly higher degree of steepness.

What can I say instead of "a moderately steep" to describe a slope?

Consider using alternatives like "a somewhat steep", "a reasonably steep", or "a gentle incline" depending on the precise level of inclination you want to convey.