a steeper incline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a steeper incline" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a steep slope or increase in elevation. Example: The hikers struggled to climb the mountain, as they faced a steeper incline with every step.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A higher slope value indicates a steeper incline.

Applied Water Science

Interestingly, a steeper incline was always observed in the amino acids with extreme GCsyn.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Chronic cough and chronic cough/phlegm had a similar background prevalence at residential distances beyond 500 m from the highway; however, the prevalence of chronic cough had a steeper incline with decreasing distance to the highway.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

If you're not the outdoorsy-type, switch to using the trainer at the gym, or set the treadmill to a steeper incline than normal.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"The plane was in a steep incline," Mr. Bouker said.

The New York Times

We're in the woods, chugging up a steep incline.

The Washington Post

The ride begins by cranking both cars up a steep incline side-by-side.

Independent

One such leads from a record shop called Avalanche down a steep incline to Market Street.

The Guardian - Books

A young man several hundred yards away from us has started riding down a steep incline.

The New York Times - Travel

The final stretch to the pass involved a scramble over a steep incline of wet rocks.

The New York Times - Travel

In the town of Easington Colliery, I followed a track up a steep incline.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical challenges, use "a steeper incline" to vividly convey the increasing difficulty of ascending a slope or hill. This helps readers visualize the scenario more clearly.

Common error

Avoid using "a steeper incline" when you actually mean a decrease or descent. "Decline" refers to a downward slope, while "incline" refers to an upward slope. Using the wrong term can confuse your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a steeper incline" primarily functions as a noun phrase, with the adjective "steeper" modifying the noun "incline". It describes a physical attribute, specifically the degree of slope or inclination of something. As Ludwig explains, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a steeper incline" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a sharper or more pronounced slope, as confirmed by Ludwig. Although relatively infrequent, it finds applications across various fields, including science, news, and general descriptive writing. To convey a more precise meaning, consider context-specific alternatives like "a steeper slope" or "a sharper rise". Ensure clarity by differentiating between "incline" and "decline" to avoid misrepresentation. The best practices advise leveraging the phrase's descriptive power to enhance the reader's visualization. This makes "a steeper incline" a valuable tool for detailed and vivid writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a steeper slope

Replaces "incline" with the synonym "slope", focusing on the general gradient of a surface.

a steeper grade

Uses "grade" to emphasize the steepness, often in the context of roads or railways.

a steeper angle

Emphasizes the angular measurement of the incline.

a sharper rise

Replaces "incline" with "rise", indicating a more sudden increase in elevation.

a greater incline

Uses "greater" to highlight the magnitude of the inclination.

a more acute incline

Emphasizes the sharpness of the angle of inclination.

a sharper gradient

Combines "sharper" with "gradient" to suggest a rapid change in slope.

a more precipitous incline

Uses "precipitous" to denote a very steep and abrupt incline.

an increased incline

Highlights the change or increase in the inclination.

a more elevated incline

Focuses on the height achieved by the incline.

FAQs

What does "a steeper incline" mean?

The phrase "a steeper incline" refers to a slope or surface that rises more sharply or abruptly than another. It indicates a greater degree of inclination.

How can I use "a steeper incline" in a sentence?

You can use "a steeper incline" to describe roads, hills, or any rising surface. For example: "The hikers struggled as the trail became "a steeper incline"."

What are some alternatives to "a steeper incline"?

Alternatives include "a steeper slope", "a sharper rise", or "a steeper grade". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a more steep incline" instead of "a steeper incline"?

While "a more steep incline" might be understood, "a steeper incline" is the grammatically correct and more common phrasing. It follows the standard comparative form for adjectives.