a steep flight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a steep flight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a set of stairs or a staircase that has a significant incline, often implying difficulty in ascending or descending. Example: "After a long day of hiking, we were exhausted by the steep flight of stairs leading to the cabin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Restrooms are down a steep flight of stairs.

The New York Times

Women's room up a steep flight of stairs.

The New York Times

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY Restrooms down a steep flight of stairs.

The New York Times

Elderly people with walkers and canes were painfully negotiating a steep flight of stairs.

The New Yorker

A steep flight of stairs led up to the back of the stage.

The New Yorker

They climbed a steep flight of concrete steps with no railings.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Decades is behind a frosted-glass door at the top of a short, steep flight of stairs carpeted in leopard print.

The New Yorker

HOLDING open the door to her fourth-floor loft in SoHo, the choreographer and dancer Elizabeth Streb tried not to laugh at the sounds of exertion as a visitor struggled up the last steep flight of stairs.

The New York Times

Walk up a steep, narrow flight of stairs in one hotel, the Andrew's, at 197 Bowery.

The New York Times

After Mann's show, Flanagan took me through the kitchen and up a steep, rickety flight of stairs that leads to his office and the greenroom.

The New Yorker

It crouches in the deep shadow of the battlements of the medieval Cité at the bottom of a steep, uneven flight of stone steps leading up to the Porte d'Aude.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a location, use "a steep flight" to clearly convey the physical challenge of navigating stairs, especially in accessibility descriptions or narratives focusing on physical exertion.

Common error

Avoid using "a steep flight" when the difficulty is due to factors other than steepness, such as disrepair or narrowness. Use more specific descriptors like "rickety stairs" or "narrow steps" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a steep flight" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It modifies the noun "flight" with the adjective "steep", indicating the incline of the stairs. Ludwig AI validates this usage, confirmed with examples of different sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a steep flight" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a set of stairs with a significant incline. It is widely used in various contexts, including news, travel writing, and personal narratives. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and functions effectively as a descriptive noun phrase. While various alternatives exist, such as "precipitous staircase" or "sharply rising set of stairs", "a steep flight" provides a clear and concise way to convey the physical challenge presented by the stairs. Remember to use it accurately when steepness is the primary cause of difficulty, as confirmed by the Ludwig AI examples. The most authoritative sources are The New York Times, The New Yorker and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sharply rising set of stairs

Offers a more descriptive alternative using "sharply rising" to convey the steepness.

a precipitous staircase

Substitutes "steep" with "precipitous" for emphasis and "flight" with staircase

a very inclined stairway

A more descriptive variation, using 'inclined' instead of 'steep'.

a sharp incline

Replaces "flight" with a more general term for an upward slope. It is a more generic descriptor, not specific to stairs.

a vertical climb of stairs

Emphasizes the verticality of the stairs.

a sheer climb of steps

Replaces "steep" with "sheer" and "flight" with climb, altering the imagery slightly.

a difficult stairway

A simpler alternative, emphasizing the challenge.

a towering stairway

Focuses on the height and imposing nature of the stairs, rather than just the steepness.

an arduous stairway

Highlights the difficulty and effort required to climb the stairs.

a challenging ascent

Shifts the focus to the difficulty of climbing the stairs.

FAQs

How can I describe the difficulty of climbing "a steep flight"?

You can describe the experience by saying it requires effort, is challenging, or is arduous. Instead of "a steep flight", you might describe it as an "arduous stairway".

What are some alternatives to "a steep flight" when describing stairs?

Alternatives include "a sharp incline", "precipitous staircase", or "a sharply rising set of stairs". These options can provide a slightly different nuance depending on the context.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "a steep flight"?

It's suitable when emphasizing the physical challenge of ascending or descending stairs, particularly in descriptions of buildings, landscapes, or personal experiences. It can also be used to indicate accessibility challenges.

How does "a steep flight" differ from "a regular flight of stairs"?

"A steep flight" implies a significant incline, making the stairs more difficult to climb, whereas "a regular flight of stairs" suggests a standard, less challenging set of steps.