a thousand feet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thousand feet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a measurement of distance, often in contexts related to aviation, hiking, or geographical descriptions. Example: "The airplane was flying at an altitude of a thousand feet above sea level."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

A thousand feet below, Pine Creek wound like a black ribbon through the chilly mist that suffused the canyon.

The New York Times - Travel

"I'm at a thousand feet.

The New Yorker

Badgers can dig tunnels a thousand feet long.

The New Yorker

I was losing a thousand feet a minute.

The New Yorker

Spray rises a thousand feet in the air.

Independent

The placement is accurate to a thousand feet.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

A hundred feet.

The New Yorker

It was a hundred and twelve feet.

The New Yorker

A hundred feet tall.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Simpson fell a hundred and fifty feet.

The New Yorker

It is a hundred and sixty-four feet long and sixty-two feet high.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about altitude or elevation, use "a thousand feet above sea level" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid mixing metric and imperial units within the same sentence or paragraph. Choose one system and stick to it for consistency. For example, don't say "The building is a thousand feet tall, which is about 300 meters" unless there is a clear purpose for the conversion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thousand feet" primarily functions as a measurement descriptor, specifying a distance or altitude. This is confirmed by Ludwig's examples, which showcase its use in describing heights, depths, and distances in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a thousand feet" is a common and grammatically correct measurement descriptor, predominantly used in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its general usage and applicability in diverse scenarios involving distance, altitude, or depth. While alternatives like "one thousand feet" exist for emphasis, the original phrase remains a versatile and standard choice for conveying this specific measurement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one thousand feet

Replaces the article "a" with the numeral "one" for emphasis or formality.

1000 feet

Uses numerals for brevity and informality.

three hundred meters

Expresses the same distance in metric units.

nearly a thousand feet

Uses "nearly" to suggest a value close to a thousand feet.

around a thousand feet

Uses "around" to indicate an approximate value.

a third of a kilometer

Expresses the distance as a fraction of a kilometer.

approximately 1000 feet

Adds the qualifier "approximately" to indicate an estimate.

an altitude of 1000 feet

Specifies that the measurement is an altitude.

a depth of 1000 feet

Specifies that the measurement is a depth.

a height of 1000 feet

Specifies that the measurement is a height.

FAQs

How can I use "a thousand feet" in a sentence?

You can use "a thousand feet" to describe distance, altitude, or depth. For example, "The plane flew at "a thousand feet" above the ground", or "The trench was "a thousand feet" deep".

What is the difference between "a thousand feet" and "one thousand feet"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct and have the same meaning, "one thousand feet" can be used for emphasis or in more formal contexts, whereas ""a thousand feet"" is more commonly used in general writing and speech.

What can I say instead of "a thousand feet"?

Depending on the context, you could use "three hundred meters" (if converting to the metric system) or "approximately 1000 feet" if you need to indicate that the measurement is not exact.

Which is correct, "a thousand feet" or "thousand feet"?

"A thousand feet" is the correct and grammatically sound phrase. Omitting the article "a" makes the phrase sound incomplete or less formal.