as steep as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as steep as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to make a comparison regarding the steepness of an incline or metaphorically to describe something that is difficult or challenging. Example: "The hill was as steep as a roller coaster, making it a tough climb for the hikers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Travel

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some prices are as steep as $60,000.

The Economist

But it was not as steep as forecasts, which called for a 8.3 percent decline.

The New York Times

But for an executive it can be just as steep as in a Western city.

The Economist

While the decline was not as steep as expected, economists cited areas of concern.

The New York Times

A dollop goes a long way, so the price isn't as steep as it would seem.

The New York Times

In some spots, the path was as steep as a set of stairs.

The New York Times - Travel

The declines on Thursday were not as steep as in previous days.

The New York Times

The rest of the way up was, indeed, "as steep as the roof of a house".

The New Yorker

Pushing off, I began bounding down a slope as steep as a Victorian roof.

The New York Times - Travel

Ms. Rhame is expecting a dollar decline, but maybe not as steep as that.

The New York Times

Some Caribbean islands, for example, impose taxes as steep as 17percentt on villa rentals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as steep as" to describe a non-physical incline, ensure the comparison is vivid and relatable to your audience. For example, "The learning curve was as steep as climbing Mount Everest."

Common error

Avoid using "as steep as" when a simpler adjective like "difficult" or "challenging" would suffice. Overusing metaphorical steepness can make your writing sound cliché.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as steep as" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe the degree of inclination or difficulty of something by drawing a comparison, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

20%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Sports

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as steep as" is a versatile comparative adjective phrase, commonly used to describe both physical inclines and metaphorical challenges. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, ranging from news and media to science and travel. Its primary function is to create vivid comparisons, helping audiences understand the intensity or difficulty of something by relating it to familiar concepts. While generally neutral in register, overuse can lead to clichés, so writers should aim for relatable and vivid comparisons. Consider alternatives like "as precipitous as" or "as challenging as" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as precipitous as

Replaces "steep" with "precipitous", emphasizing the abruptness and severity of the slope or decline.

as inclined as

Substitutes "steep" with "inclined", providing a more general term for slopes or gradients.

as sharp as

Uses "sharp" instead of "steep", highlighting the abruptness of the change rather than the degree of inclination.

as uphill as

Replaces "steep" with "uphill", focusing on the upward direction and difficulty of the slope.

comparably inclined to

Uses a more formal structure with "comparably inclined", maintaining the sense of similarity in slope or difficulty.

similarly graded to

Employs "similarly graded" to emphasize the similar level of inclination or difficulty.

as formidable as

Substitutes "steep" with "formidable", highlighting the challenging nature of something, similar to a steep incline.

as challenging as

Uses "challenging" instead of "steep", focusing on the level of difficulty or demanding nature of something.

of equal gradient to

A formal alternative using "equal gradient" to describe a similar level of steepness or slope.

matches the incline of

Rephrases the comparison to focus on matching the incline, providing a slightly more descriptive alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "as steep as" to compare the incline of a physical slope or to describe something metaphorically challenging. For example, "The road was as steep as a ski slope", or "The financial losses were as steep as the market crash of 1929".

What are some alternatives to "as steep as"?

You can use alternatives like "as precipitous as", "as inclined as", or "as challenging as" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "as steep as" when referring to something other than a physical slope?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to use "as steep as" metaphorically to describe anything that requires significant effort or presents a considerable challenge. The key is to ensure the comparison is clear and relevant to the context.

What's the difference between "as steep as" and "as high as" when describing a challenge?

"As steep as" emphasizes the difficulty and abruptness of the challenge, similar to a sharp incline. "As high as" refers more to the magnitude or scale of the challenge. For example, "The mountain was as steep as it was high", meaning it was both difficult to climb and very tall.