a steep slope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a steep slope" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a literal, physical slope, or when metaphorically describing a negative trend, a difficult path, or a sudden and drastic change. Example sentence: They encountered a steep slope while hiking the trail.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the classical side: Accelerating an object down a steep slope will get it to move faster.

Los Angeles Times

"We're on a steep slope here," she said.

The New York Times

Solifluction, flowage of water-saturated soil down a steep slope.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And this feels especially true of a garden built on a steep slope.

The Guardian - Books

It may happen that you find yourself hurtling down a steep slope with neither ski attached.

The Guardian - Travel

It drove about 100 metres (330ft) off the road down a steep slope.

The Guardian

After several hundred feet, the climbers encountered a steep slope of ice.

The Guardian

After fording a wild river, everyone had to get out and hike up a steep slope.

The New York Times - Science

Soon, we're looking over the edge of a steep slope lined with volcanic boulders.

The Washington Post

Set on a steep slope among acanthus and eucalyptus trees, it resembles a Canadian log cabin.

The Guardian - Travel

A snowboarder edged a steep slope, a figure in low contrast falling from the sky.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a steep slope" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly establishes the connection to a difficult or declining situation. For instance, "The company's profits are on a steep slope after the product recall."

Common error

Avoid using "a steep slope" metaphorically without providing enough context. For example, saying "Our project is on a steep slope" is vague. Clarify by adding: "Our project is on a steep slope toward failure due to budget cuts."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a steep slope" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It typically describes a physical geographical feature. As Ludwig AI confirms, its metaphorical use is also valid.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

32%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a steep slope" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe both literal inclines and figurative declines. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and scientific media, its neutral register makes it suitable for broad audiences. Whether discussing a challenging hike or a company's plummeting profits, this phrase effectively conveys the idea of a rapid change or difficult ascent. Remember to provide adequate context when employing the metaphorical meaning of the phrase to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sharp incline

Replaces 'slope' with 'incline' to emphasize the upward angle, still maintaining a sense of sharpness.

a sharp decline

Uses 'decline' to indicate a downward slope, offering a contrasting but related perspective.

a precipitous drop

Substitutes 'steep' with 'precipitous' and 'slope' with 'drop', highlighting the sudden and drastic nature of the change.

a sharp gradient

Employs 'gradient' instead of 'slope' to focus on the rate of change in elevation.

a challenging climb

Shifts the focus to the act of climbing, implying the difficulty due to the steepness.

a difficult path

Moves beyond physical descriptions to represent a metaphorical challenging course of action.

a demanding ascent

Replaces slope with ascent, maintaining the upward direction.

a sheer cliff

Uses "sheer cliff" to describe an abrupt vertical drop, more severe than a standard steep slope.

a slippery slope

Describes the figurative steep slope as 'slippery', indicating a potential loss of control.

a downward spiral

Expresses the concept of a decline or descent but in more figurative language.

FAQs

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

You can use "a steep slope" to describe a physical incline, such as "The hikers struggled to ascend "a steep slope"". It can also be used metaphorically to describe a rapid decline, as in "The company's profits are on "a steep slope"".

What is an alternative to using "a steep slope" to describe a difficult situation?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a challenging path", "a difficult situation", or "a downward spiral".

When is it appropriate to use "a slippery slope" instead of "a steep slope"?

"A slippery slope" is best used when describing a situation that seems likely to lead to a series of negative consequences, whereas ""a steep slope"" simply indicates a rapid decline or difficult ascent.

Can "a steep slope" be used in a positive context?

While generally associated with challenges or declines, ""a steep slope"" can be used neutrally to describe a physical feature. In rare cases, it could be positive if overcoming it leads to success, but this is less common.