a shallow grade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shallow grade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slope or incline that is not steep, often in contexts related to geography, construction, or education. Example: "The hiking trail was easy to navigate due to its shallow grade, making it suitable for beginners."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The water must be clean and easy to get in and out of (a kiddie pool is fine if there is a ramp for exit/entrance, something larger that is flush with the ground is even better, but it must have a shallow grade or ramp for exiting. Feed your duck the right food. A common thought is that ducks can survive on bread, but this is untrue.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Instead, it hooks away from the falls and back again along a shallower grade.

The New York Times

The approach is based on the out-of-equilibrium deposition of SiGe alloys graded at an exceptionally shallow grading rate (GR) of 1.5% µm−1 by low energy plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (LEPECVD).

Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing

I'd start out alone, pushing up that shallow grade.

The New York Times

The shallow grade outside my door left me breathless, and the hills that separated me from downtown were much, much steeper.

The New York Times

Gonioscopy is performed only on those patients who have an elevated intraocular pressure, iris neovascularization or a shallow anterior chamber (Van Herrick's grading ≤ 2).

BMC Ophthalmology

Even patients in group C, to whom no respiratory orders or just a shallow breathing order were given, showed several grades of TIC.

Insights into Imaging

What a shallow motherfucker.

The New Yorker

It is a shallow work, a shallow masterpiece.

The New Yorker

This is a shallow gas field.

The New York Times

Pour into a shallow casserole.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, supplement "a shallow grade" with specific measurements (e.g., percentage or degrees) to provide a precise understanding of the slope's steepness.

Common error

Avoid using "a shallow grade" when you mean a steep slope. The term implies a gentle incline, not a significant or challenging one. Use terms like "steep incline" or "sharp slope" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shallow grade" primarily functions as a descriptive term, modifying a noun (grade) with an adjective (shallow). Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English. It denotes a gentle slope or incline.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a shallow grade" is a grammatically sound and usable term to describe a gentle slope or incline. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy, and it is most commonly found in Wiki, News & Media, and Science contexts. While relatively rare, it serves the purpose of clearly indicating a mild slope, suitable for descriptions where ease of navigation is relevant. Alternatives include "gentle incline" and "slight slope", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shallow incline

Swaps the position of adjectives for a slight variation.

gentle incline

Replaces "shallow" with "gentle", emphasizing the ease of the slope.

slight slope

Uses "slight" instead of "shallow", indicating a minimal degree of inclination.

gradual slope

Replaces "shallow" with "gradual", highlighting the gradual change in elevation.

gentle gradient

Substitutes "grade" with "gradient", providing a more technical term for slope.

mild slope

Uses "mild" to describe the non-extreme nature of the slope.

easy slope

Emphasizes the ease of navigating the slope.

moderate incline

Uses "moderate" to suggest a slightly steeper but still manageable slope.

low-angle slope

Uses a more descriptive term focusing on the angle of the slope.

slight rise

Focuses on the upward direction, replacing "grade" with "rise".

FAQs

How can I use "a shallow grade" in a sentence?

You might say, "The path up to the summit had "a shallow grade", making it accessible for hikers of all fitness levels." This indicates the slope is gentle and easy to walk.

What's the difference between "a shallow grade" and "a steep grade"?

"A shallow grade" refers to a gentle slope that is easy to ascend or descend, while "a steep grade" indicates a sharp incline that may be challenging to navigate. The terms are opposites in terms of the slope's steepness.

Are there technical alternatives to "a shallow grade" for engineering contexts?

Yes, in engineering, you might use terms like "low-angle slope" or specify the grade as a percentage (e.g., "a 2% grade"). These alternatives provide a more precise measurement of the incline.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a shallow grade"?

It's appropriate when describing a slope that is not steep or challenging. For example, describing a road, a path, or even the bottom of a swimming pool that gradually slopes downward. It can also be used metaphorically in other contexts, to describe something that does not take much effort.