deep

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'deep' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a physical distance (e.g. "The canyon was so deep!"), an emotion or thought (e.g. "She felt a deep sorrow for her mistake.") or a broad or intense level of something (e.g. "He had a deep knowledge of the subject.") Example sentence: "She waded into the deep end of the pool."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Business

Music

Travel

Opinion

Books

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If what I have been told is true then it will be obvious to everyone that I find myself caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

The Guardian

Alexander made clear the Liberal Democrats' deep unease at the prime minister's plan when he warned of the dangers posed by those who "put anti-European ideology ahead of our national interest".

The Guardian

The Spaniard thought otherwise and took him deep into the third set before the world No1 rounded it out 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 in a tick over two hours.

The Guardian - Sport

Her Sydney triumph showed the benefit of her fitness work and if she gets deep into the tournament, no one will want to see Kvitova on the other side of the net.

The Guardian - Sport

There is also deep concern that more than four years after Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup, the country's minister of labour has admitted that there is no set timetable to introduce even the modest reforms it promised in May 2014.

The Guardian

Whenever the topic of the vast – and constantly expanding – wealth gap comes up for debate, it seems as if someone is always itching for the opportunity to resurrect those words, culminating in Fitzgerald's observation that the wealthy "think, deep in their hearts, that they are better than we are".

The Guardian - Money

The OECD was a supporter of workers in southern European countries taking a hit to their wage packets and argues that "wage adjustments have played an important role in helping the labour market weather the deep cyclical downturn, reducing job losses in the downturn and promoting employment growth in the recovery".

The Guardian - Business

Comic Relief is typical of the small ideas that the BBC catalyses into programming on a scale that reaches deep into people's lives, and can make all of us think afresh about our roles and commitments.

The Guardian

But while locals that are savvy enough to jump ship can prosper, those wedded to the traditional pastoral life are pushed into deep poverty.

The Guardian

She attacked the party for refusing to say it would abolish the bedroom tax, failing to speak up for the rights of immigrants and saying benefit cuts "aren't deep enough".

The Guardian

It is hard not to grieve for the independent life I once had, but there is a richness that comes from enjoying the small pleasures in life and focusing on the deep love I have for my friends and family.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deep" to add vivid description and depth to writing, whether describing physical space, emotional states, or levels of understanding.

Common error

While versatile, using "deep" for things that are merely 'profound' or 'intense' can dilute its impact. Reserve "deep" for situations where actual depth or penetration is implied.

Linguistic Context

Deep functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate physical extent, intensity, or complexity. Ludwig AI indicates that the term is considered grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, for example, a "deep concern" or "deep into the jungle".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Business

8%

Music

7%

Travel

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "deep" is a versatile adjective with a wide range of applications, from describing physical dimensions to emotional states and intellectual concepts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. When writing, remember that while versatile, using "deep" for things that are merely 'profound' or 'intense' can dilute its impact and make the prose less impactful, so its better to reserve it for situations where actual depth or penetration is implied. The word is most frequently encountered in news and media, sports, and lifestyle contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Profound

Emphasizes intellectual or emotional depth, differing from "deep"'s broader range of applications.

Intense

Highlights the strength or degree of something, rather than physical or abstract depth.

Extensive

Focuses on the breadth or scope, differing from "deep"'s emphasis on inward reach.

Far-reaching

Highlights the extent of influence or impact, rather than depth itself.

Thorough

Emphasizes completeness and attention to detail, instead of depth of penetration or understanding.

Significant

Highlights importance, rather than the quality of depth.

Severe

Indicates intensity or gravity, with less emphasis on the dimension of depth.

Heartfelt

Focuses on genuine emotion, not necessarily related to depth in other senses.

Considerable

Indicates a noteworthy amount, without conveying depth.

Embedded

Refers to something being enclosed or fixed within, suggesting a relationship but not direct synonymity.

FAQs

How can I use "deep" in a sentence?

You can use "deep" to describe physical depth (e.g., "a deep well"), emotional intensity (e.g., "deep sorrow"), or intellectual complexity (e.g., "deep understanding").

What words can I use instead of "deep"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "profound", "intense", or "extensive".

Is it correct to say "deep" when referring to abstract concepts?

Yes, "deep" is often used metaphorically to describe abstract concepts like "deep thoughts" or "deep connections".

What's the difference between "deep" and "profound"?

"Deep" generally refers to something extending far down or inward, while "profound" implies intellectual or emotional depth and significance.