exceptionally high tide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceptionally high tide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a tide that is significantly higher than normal levels, often due to specific environmental conditions. Example: "The coastal town experienced an exceptionally high tide, leading to flooding in several low-lying areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

At midnight, the BBC broadcast a message from the police, warning of an "exceptionally high tide" in the Thames.

The Guardian

And in "The Franklin's Tale," Chaucer's description of the heavenly alignment that caused an exceptionally high tide on the Brittany coast, convinced Dr. Olson that Chaucer was an advanced amateur astronomer.

The New York Times - Science

A combination of circumstances that lifted the phrase "perfect storm" out of the realm of cliche – very low pressure, an exceptionally high tide and a ferocious north wind – made for a surge that rivalled the infamous one in 1953, in which 307 lives were lost.

The Guardian - Books

Disaster occurred on Lady Day 1644, when an exceptionally high tide flooded the Upper Levels, and broke through the walls of the New Salt Channel.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"There will still be exceptionally high tides today and tomorrow, and I would urge everybody to pay very close attention to advice from the Environment Agency and also to follow instructions from the police, local government and emergency services".

The Guardian

Although floodwaters were said to be receding on Friday, the Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson, warned that "this is not over" and that there were still "exceptionally high tides to come".

Independent

"It took some time to recover the dead horse because of the obstacles of sea walls, exceptionally high tides and spongy land preventing vehicular access".

BBC

Western Isles Council said all schools in Uist and Barra would be closed on Thursday, with forecasters predicting high winds which will coincide with exceptionally high tides and a storm surge.

BBC

This caused exceptionally high tides that may have resulted in a larger number of icebergs than usual reaching the shipping lanes a few months later.

Wikipedia

A system of movable barriers that would rise from the sea bed to protect Venice from exceptionally high tides has been in the works for years but will not be operational before 2014.

Huffington Post

Our destination is a permanent arm of water connected to the Rio Hardy, where agricultural runoff creates a kind of slow flowing swamp that connects to the sea at exceptionally high tides.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing coastal events or natural phenomena, use "exceptionally high tide" to emphasize the unusual nature of the tidal event. Ensure you provide context to explain the consequences, such as flooding or coastal erosion.

Common error

Avoid using "exceptionally high tide" when a regular high tide is expected. Only use it when the tide significantly exceeds typical levels, as overuse dilutes its impact and can mislead readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceptionally high tide" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It modifies the noun "tide" with the adjective "high", further intensified by the adverb "exceptionally". Ludwig AI confirms that it accurately describes a tide that is significantly higher than normal.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exceptionally high tide" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English used to describe a tide that significantly exceeds normal levels. According to Ludwig, this phrase is often used in news and media to inform the public about potentially dangerous coastal conditions. While not very common, the phrase is recognized and understood in both formal and informal contexts. Consider alternatives like "unusually high tide" or "remarkably high tide", but ensure that "exceptionally" is only used when the tidal event is truly unusual.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unusually high tide

Replaces "exceptionally" with "unusually", indicating a deviation from the norm but with a slightly different emphasis.

remarkably high tide

Substitutes "exceptionally" with "remarkably", highlighting the noteworthy nature of the tide's height.

extremely high tide

Uses "extremely" instead of "exceptionally", conveying a stronger degree of intensity.

unprecedented high tide

Indicates the tide's height has never been seen before, adding a historical context.

record high tide

Suggests the tide has reached a new historical maximum.

abnormally high tide

Replaces "exceptionally" with "abnormally", emphasizing a deviation from the standard range.

extraordinarily high tide

Uses "extraordinarily" to convey a sense of rarity and unusualness.

uncommonly high tide

Replaces "exceptionally" with "uncommonly", indicating a rare occurrence.

significantly high tide

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the high tide.

unusually elevated tide

Combines "unusually" with "elevated" to describe the tide's increased height.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "exceptionally high tide"?

Use "exceptionally high tide" to describe a tidal event that significantly exceeds normal high tide levels. This is often due to specific weather conditions or astronomical events. It's best used when the unusual height of the tide has noticeable consequences.

What are some alternative ways to describe an exceptionally high tide?

You can use alternatives such as "unusually high tide", "remarkably high tide", or "record high tide" depending on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey. See more alternatives on the "unusually high tide" page.

Is "exceptionally high tide" a formal or informal phrase?

The phrase "exceptionally high tide" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news reports, scientific articles, and everyday conversation.

What causes an exceptionally high tide?

Exceptionally high tides can be caused by a combination of factors, including the alignment of the sun and moon (spring tides), storm surges, and low atmospheric pressure. These factors can amplify the normal tidal range, leading to significantly higher water levels.