at its summit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at its summit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the highest point or peak of something, whether literal or metaphorical, such as a mountain or a career. Example: "The organization reached its summit when it achieved its highest level of success last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This summer it announced plans for an accelerator program to encourage others to leap into paid media and today, at its summit event, it revealed the five successful applicants in batch one as well as its own hiring plans.

TechCrunch

Nato is hoping at its summit to announce it has assembled a $4bn£2.6bnbn) a year programme to help the Afghan government post-2014 to improve the resilience of the Karzai administration against Taliban attacks.

The Guardian

NATO plans to add three new members at its summit this week, proving that it is still a club that European states want to join.

The New York Times

PAGE A22 ONCE AND FUTURE NATO NATO plans to add three new members at its summit this week, proving that it is still a club European states want to join.

The New York Times

This year, at its summit in Prague in November, it is set to induct seven more: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, according to American and European officials.

The New York Times

The Nato military alliance, at its summit in Wales, has said it "stands with Ukraine" in the face of Russia's "destabilising" influence.

BBC

It is the fourth time that Page been at its summit.

The Guardian

At its summit is the idea of the Good itself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Wasn't that the most alluring part of the rivalry at its summit?

The New York Times - Sports

Visitors to Japan's highest mountain, Mount Fuji, can now access wi-fi at its summit.

Independent

I climbed up the hill, toward the solitary mulberry tree that stands at its summit.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at its summit" to describe the literal highest point of a geographical feature, such as a mountain, or the figurative peak of an achievement or process. Ensure the context makes it clear whether you are referring to a physical location or an abstract concept.

Common error

Avoid using "at its summit" when the concept of a 'summit' doesn't logically apply. For instance, describing the start of a process as being "at its summit" would be incorrect, as a summit implies culmination, not initiation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at its summit" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to indicate location or state. It pinpoints the highest or most advanced stage, as Ludwig suggests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at its summit" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote the highest point or peak of something, both literally and figuratively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While alternatives like "at its peak" or "at its highest point" exist, "at its summit" maintains a slightly more formal tone, making it suitable for professional and academic discourse. Remember to use it accurately, ensuring the 'summit' concept aligns logically with the context to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at its peak

Replaces "summit" with "peak", offering a more common and slightly less formal alternative.

at its highest point

Replaces "summit" with "highest point", providing a more literal and descriptive alternative.

at its apex

Substitutes "summit" with "apex", suggesting a more formal and precise high point.

at its zenith

Replaces "summit" with "zenith", implying the time at which something is most powerful or successful.

at its crest

Uses "crest" instead of "summit", often used in contexts referring to a wave or a period of increase.

at its culmination

Replaces "summit" with "culmination", emphasizing the achievement of something after a long process.

at its acme

Substitutes "summit" with "acme", suggesting the point of perfection.

at its meridian

Replaces "summit" with "meridian", used to refer to the highest stage of development or influence.

at its apogee

Replaces "summit" with "apogee", especially when talking about the furthest point in an orbit or a situation's highest point.

at the top

Offers a simpler and more general substitute for "at its summit".

FAQs

How can I use "at its summit" in a sentence?

The phrase "at its summit" is used to describe the highest point or peak of something, whether it's a literal mountain or a figurative achievement. Example: "The company was "at its summit" when it released its groundbreaking product".

What's a more common way to say "at its summit"?

While "at its summit" is perfectly acceptable, you could use phrases like "at its peak", "at its highest point", or "at the top" depending on the context.

Is "at its summit" formal or informal?

"At its summit" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for professional writing, news articles, or academic papers. Simpler alternatives might be preferred in very informal contexts.

Can "at its summit" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "at its summit" is frequently used metaphorically to describe the highest point of achievement, success, or development. For instance, you might say a musician was "at its peak", which is synonymous with being "at its summit".