ascend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the action of rising or moving upward, either literally or metaphorically. Example: "As the sun began to rise, the hot air balloon started to ascend into the clear blue sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were caterpillars, greedy worms condemned to toil on earth; the chrysalis was our coffin, but the butterfly's miraculous emergence symbolised the possibility of an afterlife, a chance for our souls to ascend to heaven.

The Guardian - Film

Visitors won't ascend to the Chajnantor plateau at 5,000 metres, where most of the antennae are sited – and for good reason.

The Guardian - Travel

It was only a decade later that she noted how, "on a fair and glorious morning I managed to escape some 400 people and ascend the hill alone and in silence.

The Guardian - Arts

We ascend to the raised walkway under the eaves, and wooden doors are slid open to reveal a bare room.

The Guardian - Travel

In the Victorian era, 1,768m Mount Rigi, which rears up above Lake Lucerne, was the tick to have on your grand tour list: one simply had to ascend the mountain, sleep at the summit inn and arise before dawn to watch the much-lauded sunrise.

The Guardian - Travel

If you are minded to, you can ascend all the way to Villa Jovis, the ruins of the palace from which Tiberius ruled Rome, only to discover, as we do, that it closes at 1pm.

The Guardian - Travel

Then there's Uncle Harry, who like Princess Charlotte is a "spare heir", and unlikely to ascend the throne.

The Guardian - Music

When his time came to ascend to the throne, in 2012, he found he had to squeeze in alongside Jürgen Fitschen as co-chief executive.

The Economist

A Facebook post by an Israeli expat in Berlin, called Olim le Berlin ("ascend to Berlin"), has launched a small exodus of Israelis who come for affordable fun and find Germany's dark past more intriguing than repulsive.Yet rents have been rising for years, and locals and creative types complain about being priced out (even as they oppose any attempts to build new housing).

The Economist

Apart from anything else, he is humble enough to realise that he did not ascend to the governorship of America's second-largest state by popular will.

The Economist

A remote control strapped to one wrist offers several modes of action: "stand", "sit", "walk", and "ascend" and "descend" for staircases.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ascend" when you want to convey a sense of upward movement, often with an implication of overcoming obstacles or achieving a higher position. For instance, "The hot air balloon began to ascend slowly, rising above the trees."

Common error

Avoid using "ascend" when you mean to go down or move downwards. "Descend" is the appropriate term for moving in a downward direction. For example, say "The hikers began to descend the mountain" instead of using "ascend" incorrectly.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ascend" is as an intransitive verb. It describes the action of moving upward, often implying effort or progress. Ludwig AI confirms that "ascend" is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ascend" is a versatile verb that describes upward movement, both literally and figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian indicate its widespread acceptance in formal and neutral contexts. While synonyms like "rise" and "climb" exist, "ascend" often carries a connotation of effort or achievement. Remember to avoid confusing it with "descend", which means to move downwards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rise

A more general term for moving upward, lacking the implication of effort or difficulty.

climb

Implies a more active and effortful upward movement, often involving hands and feet.

mount

Suggests moving upwards onto something, like a horse or a platform.

soar

Implies a graceful and effortless upward movement, often used metaphorically.

move upward

A more descriptive and less formal way of expressing the action.

go up

A simple and direct synonym, suitable for informal contexts.

scale

Suggests overcoming an obstacle while moving upward.

lift off

Specifically refers to an aircraft leaving the ground.

escalate

Often used metaphorically to describe a situation that is intensifying.

arise

Implies a more formal and gradual upward movement or emergence.

FAQs

How can I use "ascend" in a sentence?

You can use "ascend" to describe physical upward movement, like "The path began to "ascend" steeply". It can also describe a rise to power or status, such as "She began to "ascend" in the ranks of the company".

What's a more formal synonym for "ascend"?

While "go up" is a simple alternative, a more formal synonym is "arise" or "mount", depending on the context.

Is "ascend" only used for physical movement?

No, "ascend" can also be used metaphorically to describe an increase in status, importance, or intensity. For instance, "The music began to "ascend" to a crescendo".

What is the difference between "ascend" and "rise"?

"Rise" is a more general term for moving upward, while "ascend" often implies a deliberate or challenging upward movement. You might say "The sun "rises" in the east", but "The climber began to "ascend" the cliff face".