climbed steeply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "climbed steeply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a rapid or significant increase in elevation or metaphorically to indicate a sharp rise in something, such as prices or performance. Example: "The stock prices climbed steeply after the company announced its record profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Steel prices have climbed steeply.

The New York Times

The road climbed steeply to the border of Qinghai Province.

The New Yorker

We boarded a funicular, which climbed steeply along a course of multicolored fluorescent lights.

The New Yorker

In almost every major economy, government deficit and debt will have climbed steeply.

The New York Times

Many big banks were burdened with huge quantities of bad loans, and bank failures climbed steeply.

The Economist

The narrow path then led upwards, turning back across the hillside as it climbed steeply.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Thereafter, though, it will climb steeply.

The New Yorker

It is reached by steps climbing steeply through grass and bushes.

The Economist

Climbing steeply back up the hill, the heavy mist thinned and the angle eased.

The Guardian

A section of the Appalachian Trail climbs steeply to the park's namesake peak.

The New York Times - Travel

It is still expected to climb steeply in the coming days.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "climbed steeply" to describe increases that are not only significant but also involve a sense of effort or difficulty, whether literal or metaphorical. For example, "The mountain path climbed steeply," or "The costs climbed steeply due to inflation."

Common error

Avoid redundant adverbs with "climbed steeply". Phrases like "climbed very steeply" or "climbed extremely steeply" are unnecessary because "steeply" already implies a high degree of inclination or increase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "climbed steeply" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "climbed" is the main verb and "steeply" is an adverb modifying the verb to describe the manner of climbing or increasing. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "climbed steeply" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a rapid and significant increase, either literally in terms of physical ascent or figuratively to denote a sharp rise in metrics like prices or rates. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and finds frequent usage across various reputable sources, particularly in news and media. It's important to use "climbed steeply" when emphasizing both the magnitude and the effort or challenge associated with the increase. Alternatives such as "rose sharply" or "increased dramatically" can be used depending on the specific context and the nuance one wishes to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Increased sharply

Focuses on the rate of increase rather than the difficulty or effort of climbing.

Rose dramatically

Emphasizes the noticeable and significant nature of the increase.

Surged upward

Implies a sudden and powerful movement upwards.

Ascended rapidly

Highlights the speed of the ascent or increase.

Escalated quickly

Suggests a rapid and often uncontrolled increase.

Spiked suddenly

Conveys an abrupt and sharp increase, often temporary.

Leaped upward

Emphasizes a large and energetic increase.

Shot up

Informal term indicating a quick and substantial rise.

Advanced significantly

More formal, indicating progress or growth.

Grew exponentially

Highlights a very rapid acceleration of growth.

FAQs

How can I use "climbed steeply" in a sentence?

You can use "climbed steeply" to describe a path or road that ascends at a sharp angle, or to describe a rapid and significant increase in something like prices, rates, or statistics. For example, "The trail "climbed steeply" towards the summit" or "The unemployment rate "climbed steeply" during the recession".

What's a good alternative to "climbed steeply"?

Alternatives include "rose sharply", "increased dramatically", or "ascended rapidly". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "climbed steeply" or "increased sharply" when discussing economic growth?

Both phrases can be appropriate, but "increased sharply" is often preferred in economic contexts because it focuses on the rate of increase. "Climbed steeply" can also be used but it adds a sense of difficulty or significant effort associated with the increase. For example "Inflation "increased sharply" last quarter" may work better than "Inflation "climbed steeply" last quarter".

Can "climbed steeply" be used in a figurative sense?

Yes, "climbed steeply" can be used figuratively to describe a rapid increase in something abstract, such as costs, debt, or popularity. For instance, "The company's debt "climbed steeply" after the acquisition".