a steep road

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a steep road" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a road that has a significant incline or slope, often implying difficulty in traversing it. Example: "The hikers struggled to ascend the steep road leading to the mountain summit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Along a steep road leading to the square below, an extraordinary sight unfolded.

The Guardian

We walked upward through a steep road cut through the cliff to a busy road, located on a flat terrace above.

Columbia University

"A hard revolution is better than an easy revolution," said one young man, who gave his name as Omar, as he led a cow up a steep road.

The New York Times

The villages of The Bottom and Windward Side, occupying the old volcanic crater, are approached up a steep road from a rocky landing place on the southern coast.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nice beach too, and as soon as we turn off the front, we find a village green, then a steep road - the very hill we want.

The Guardian - Travel

After a few minutes of driving along a steep road through the oak forest, Harnwell's old Fiat 500 slowed to a crawl.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Instead he chose a steeper road to glory.

The Guardian - Sport

Frank now faces a steeper road to convince his colleagues that his entire bill is necessary and won't introduce these moral hazards.

Forbes

(Located on a frighteningly steep road at more than 5,000 feet above sea level, Tschlin is a town that few just pass through).

The New York Times - Travel

But it's a very steep road for them to climb, and ultimately, they all experience frustration and defeat".

The New York Times

At the foot of the final stretch of the course, a windy, steep road that leads to the Marine Corps War Memorial, Kronfeld did not think he could take another step.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a journey or route, using "a steep road" can effectively convey the difficulty and physical demands involved. It's a vivid and easily understood image for the reader.

Common error

Avoid overusing "a steep road" as a metaphor for challenges in abstract situations (e.g., "a steep road to success"). While acceptable, it can become cliché. Consider more specific and nuanced metaphors depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a steep road" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as an adjective modifying the noun. It describes a road characterized by a significant incline. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Science

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a steep road" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a road with a significant incline. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news and media, encyclopedia entries, and formal business contexts. While it can be used metaphorically, overusing it in abstract situations should be avoided. Related phrases include "a sharp incline" and "an uphill climb", each emphasizing different aspects of the concept. When writing, consider the specific context and choose the most descriptive and vivid language to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sharp incline

Focuses on the degree of the slope rather than the path itself.

a precipitous path

Emphasizes the danger and suddenness of the slope.

an uphill climb

Highlights the effort required to ascend the slope.

a challenging ascent

Focuses on the difficulty of the upward journey.

a demanding slope

Emphasizes the physical exertion required.

a rugged track

Highlights the rough and uneven nature of the path.

a gradient roadway

A more technical and less common way to describe a sloped road.

a hilly route

Focuses on the undulating nature of the terrain.

a mountainous trail

Indicates a path located in a mountainous area.

a treacherous slope

Emphasizes the potential danger of the incline.

FAQs

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

You can use "a steep road" to describe a physical path with a significant incline, such as "The cyclists struggled to climb "a steep road" to the summit." It can also be used metaphorically to describe a challenging path to a goal.

What can I say instead of "a steep road"?

You can use alternatives like "a sharp incline", "an uphill climb", or "a challenging ascent" depending on the context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "a steeply road"?

No, "a steeply road" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""a steep road"". "Steep" is an adjective describing the road, while "steeply" is an adverb that would describe how something is done on the road (e.g., "The car climbed steeply").

What's the difference between "a steep road" and "a winding road"?

"A steep road" describes the incline or slope of the road, indicating it is difficult to climb. "A winding road" describes the path of the road, indicating it has many curves and turns. A road can be both steep and winding.