at the summit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'at the summit' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean that something is at its highest point, its peak, or the highest level. For example: The climbers reached the summit of Mount Everest at sunrise.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Their songs are still at the summit".

The New York Times

What was he doing at the summit?

The New Yorker

Look for green at the summit.

The New York Times - Travel

Finally, at the summit, he slows down.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We are almost at the summit.

The Guardian

At the summit are commanding vistas.

The New York Times - Travel

Even Russia presented a smiling face at the summit.

The Economist

Venable honored several Tea Party "citizen leaders" at the summit.

The New Yorker

Germany found the atmosphere at the summit terrible.

The New York Times

Four of them, including the incumbent, spoke at the summit.

The Economist

A number of speakers at the summit examined it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a literal high point, like a mountain, "at the summit" is appropriate. For metaphorical peaks, consider if a more specific term like "at the zenith" or "at the pinnacle" might be more impactful.

Common error

Avoid overusing "at the summit" in contexts where a more nuanced term would be more precise. For example, instead of saying a company is "at the summit of innovation", specify what makes them innovative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the summit" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb. It specifies a location or state of being at the highest point, whether literal (a mountain summit) or figurative (the peak of one's career). As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the summit" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It typically signifies reaching the highest point, both literally and figuratively. While its register is generally neutral, contextual factors can influence its perceived formality. The phrase is frequently used in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider "at the peak" or "at the top", though the best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "at the summit" where it clearly communicates the concept of reaching a pinnacle or culmination point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the peak

This alternative replaces "summit" with "peak", which is a direct synonym, maintaining the meaning of the highest point.

at the high point

This alternative explicitly states the meaning of "summit" as the highest point.

at the top

This alternative substitutes "summit" with "top", indicating the highest position or rank.

at the culmination

This alternative uses "culmination", suggesting the end or climax of something, aligning with the idea of reaching the highest point.

at the crest

This alternative uses "crest" instead of "summit", implying the highest point of a wave or hill.

on the pinnacle

This alternative uses "pinnacle" which suggests a high, pointed feature, often used metaphorically for the peak of success.

at the apex

Using "apex" offers a more formal synonym for "summit", referring to the highest point.

at the acme

This alternative replaces "summit" with "acme", a synonym referring to the point of perfection or highest achievement.

at the zenith

This alternative provides a more elevated and less common synonym for "summit", suggesting a point of culmination.

at the apogee

This alternative uses the term "apogee", which means the highest point in the development of something.

FAQs

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

"At the summit" can describe a physical location, such as "The hikers paused "at the summit" to admire the view", or a metaphorical high point, like "Her career was "at the summit" after winning the award".

What's a good alternative to "at the summit"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "at the summit" include "at the peak", "at the top", or "at the highest point".

Is "at the summit" formal or informal?

"At the summit" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more elevated synonyms like "at the zenith" might be preferred in highly formal writing.

When should I use "at the summit" instead of other similar phrases?

Use "at the summit" when you want to emphasize reaching the highest point or a culmination. If you want to emphasize being the best, consider "at the pinnacle".