at what height

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at what height" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about a specific elevation or altitude in various contexts, such as construction, aviation, or physical activities. Example: "At what height should we install the new light fixtures to ensure optimal illumination?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

At what height should the "initial parachute" have deployed?

The New York Times

"The display of works of art, for example, is to be fussy about what colour pictures are hung on - at what height they're hung.

The Guardian - Arts

At the Air Force Office of Statistical Control, where he worked in 1943-45, he counted the firebombing sorties made by the B-29s, at what height, with what percentage hits on target (58% of Yokohama, 51% of Tokyo).

The Economist

In August 1876, for example, when Wilde was 22, he wrote to William Ward about their mutual friend Charles Todd: "In our friend Todd's ethical barometer, at what height is his moral quicksilver?

Independent

Stapleton refused to be drawn on how fast the eventual bike could travel, or at what height: "We're still designing it, so we don't know its full speed or altitude.

The Guardian - Tech

Certainly one gondola hit the ground and the police are trying to ascertain if somehow there was a collision which derailed it, if it hit another gondola as it came off the cable or there was only one involved". RAF spokesman Mike Mulford said: "It looks as though several people have been thrown out of the cars, at what height I don't know.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The Val Gardena in northeastern Italy is a sight to behold, no matter how you look at it -- or from what height.

Huffington Post

Gary Slater, a helicopter pilot with more than 20 years experience, told the BBC: "You can gather that information that will tell you the crane has been erected, from what period to what period and what height it's at, so it's a known value that the crane is there".

BBC

He would have demanded, "What kind of wall, at what length, height, and width, of which materials, at what cost, built by whom, maintained at what expense, manned by how many troops, for how long, to what measurable goal?" Trump has a celebrity's instincts, Napoleon those of the artilleryman.

Huffington Post

At the age of 19 he astounded even his sponsor, Brother Benedict, who now saw a real means of livelihood ahead for the young man, though little dreaming at the time to what heights he would soar.

The New York Times

They argued that such financing was not available at what was the height of the financial crisis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at what height" in technical writing, be precise with units of measurement (e.g., meters, feet) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "at what height" interchangeably with altitude or elevation without considering the reference point. Height often implies a relative measure from a specific base, while altitude usually refers to the distance above sea level and elevation is a general term for height above a reference point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at what height" functions as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about a specific vertical distance or elevation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase sets up a question regarding the altitude or elevation of an object or point.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at what height" is a versatile interrogative phrase used to inquire about the vertical distance or altitude of an object or point. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts. Its frequency and applicability make it a valuable tool in both formal and informal communication. While "at what height" is generally neutral, users should be mindful of more formal alternatives like "at which elevation" in academic or technical settings. The phrase is especially common in News & Media, Academia and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is the altitude

Focuses on altitude as a general measure of height, typically above sea level.

how high up

Emphasizes upward direction and extent; less formal.

what is the elevation

Highlights the elevation, particularly in geographical contexts.

to what altitude

Similar to 'at what height' but emphasizes the destination.

what level

Refers to a specific plane or stage in vertical space.

at which elevation

A more formal version, focusing on a specific elevation point.

how far above ground

Specifies ground level as the point of reference.

what is the vertical distance

Emphasizes the measurement of vertical space.

what vertical position

Focuses on the vertical placement of an object.

how tall

Inquires about the overall vertical dimension, often of a standing object.

FAQs

How to use "at what height" in a sentence?

Use "at what height" to ask about the vertical distance or altitude of something. For example, "At what height should the shelf be installed?"

What can I say instead of "at what height"?

You can use alternatives like "what is the altitude", "how high up", or "what is the elevation" depending on the context.

Is "at what height" formal or informal?

"At what height" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "at which elevation" may be preferred in academic or technical writing.

Which is correct: "at what height is it" or "at what height it is"?

The correct phrasing is "at what height is it". The inverted word order is necessary because "at what height" introduces a question.