an altitude of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an altitude of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying a measurement of height above a reference point, typically sea level. Example: "The airplane reached an altitude of 30,000 feet during its ascent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It sits at an altitude of over 8000ft.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

M. Legagneux attained an altitude of 3,200 m?es.

The New York Times

It disappeared when it was at an altitude of about 10,000ft (3,048 metres).

The Guardian

The circuit here has an altitude of more than 2,000 metres.

The Guardian - Sport

At an altitude of nearly 4000m I found it hard going.

The Guardian - Travel

Especially when the match was played at an altitude of 4,000 feet.

The New York Times - Sports

The accident happened at an altitude of around 2,300 metres.

The Guardian

At an altitude of around 65km, the rocket's first stage separated.

The Guardian

His 8percentt stake in JetBlue is flying at an altitude of $137 million.

The New York Times

At an altitude of 4100m, the climb up to the house was slow going.

The Guardian - Travel

About two minutes to touchdown, the parachute opened at an altitude of 5.3 miles.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a general audience, provide conversions to familiar units (e.g., meters and feet) to enhance comprehension.

Common error

While often used interchangeably, "altitude" technically refers to height above a reference point (like sea level), whereas "elevation" can refer to height above the surrounding terrain. Use "an altitude of" when the reference is consistently sea level.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an altitude of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun by specifying a particular height or elevation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an altitude of" is a prepositional phrase used to specify height above a reference point, primarily sea level. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its usage spans across diverse fields, most commonly in news, science, and general knowledge contexts. While alternatives like "height" or "elevation" exist, "an altitude of" provides a specific and technical connotation relating to vertical distance above a defined level. To ensure clarity, especially for general audiences, provide context and units when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a height of

Replaces "altitude" with the more general term "height".

at an elevation of

Substitutes "altitude" with "elevation", offering a formal alternative.

with a height of

Emphasizes the physical dimension of height.

reaching a height of

Highlights the process of attaining a certain height.

rising to

Emphasizes the rise to a specific altitude.

at a level of

Uses the term "level" to indicate a specific vertical position.

measured at

Focuses on the measurement of altitude.

standing at

Describes the height of a static object.

located at

Specifies the altitude of a place or object.

a position of

Indicates altitude in the context of general position.

FAQs

How is "an altitude of" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "an altitude of" is used to specify the height of an object or location above a reference point, most commonly sea level. For example: "The plane flew at "an altitude of 30,000 feet"."

What are some alternatives to using "an altitude of"?

You can use alternatives like "at a height of", "at an elevation of", or "a level of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "height" instead of "altitude"?

While "height" and "altitude" are related, "altitude" specifically refers to the vertical distance above a reference point. Using "at a height of" may be suitable in some cases, but "an altitude of" is more precise when discussing a measurement relative to a defined level.

Can I use "elevation" interchangeably with "an altitude of"?

"Elevation" is often used synonymously with "altitude", especially in geographical contexts. However, "altitude" is more common in aviation and spaceflight. Therefore, using "at an elevation of" is often acceptable.