great height

USAGE SUMMARY

"great height" is a grammatically correct phrase to use in written English.
You can use it in many different contexts, whether you're talking literally about the height of an object or figuratively talking about the extent or intensity of something. For example: "The basketball player had the ability to jump great heights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Pour things from a great height.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then the balloon rose "to a great height," Andrée wrote.

The New Yorker

It sounds like someone urinating from a great height.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Other surfaces were covered in petroglyphs to a great height.

The Guardian - Travel

He had injuries consistent with falling from a great height".

The Guardian - Music

From that great height, the fall has been steep.

The Economist

The eucalypti grow rapidly, and many species attain great height.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is a peculiarly hazardous job, like diving from a great height into a damp sponge.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It is the story of someone who reached a great height, fell, then climbed back up.

The New York Times

Tragedy, we're always told by the textbooks, involves a downfall from a great height.

The Guardian

You're required to suspend your disbelief from a very great height for The X Factor.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects or locations, use "great height" to emphasize the magnitude of the vertical distance. For abstract contexts, consider more evocative synonyms like "significant elevation" or "remarkable altitude".

Common error

Avoid using "great height" in contexts where abstract magnitude is intended. For example, instead of saying "a project of great height", opt for "a project of great importance" or "a project of great complexity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great height" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "great" modifies the noun "height". It typically describes a considerable vertical distance or elevation. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is grammatically correct and can be applied across diverse situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "great height" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe considerable vertical distance or elevation. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability. While suitable for diverse contexts, it is crucial to consider nuanced alternatives like "considerable altitude" or "towering stature" for enhanced precision. As a noun phrase, it functions to express magnitude, maintaining a generally neutral tone. It’s worth being aware that using other wording may give you the chance to be more accurate, depending on your subject. For instance, you would not discuss a great height when referring to a mountain, instead you'd talk about it's altitude.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable altitude

Replaces "height" with "altitude", emphasizing the vertical distance above a reference point.

significant elevation

Uses "elevation" instead of "height", focusing on the act of being raised or lifted.

towering stature

Emphasizes the imposing nature of the height, often used for people or structures.

immense altitude

Replaces "great" with "immense" to amplify the degree of height, indicating an extremely high position.

remarkable height

Uses "remarkable" instead of "great", highlighting the unusual or noteworthy aspect of the height.

substantial altitude

Similar to "considerable altitude", this option indicates a notable level of elevation.

extreme altitude

Replaces "great" with "extreme", suggesting an extraordinary and potentially dangerous level of height.

lofty height

Replaces "great" with "lofty", suggesting something elevated and noble.

considerable elevation

Uses "considerable" instead of "great", indicating a significant level of elevation.

extreme height

Replaces "great" with "extreme", highlighting the severe aspect of height.

FAQs

How can I use "great height" in a sentence?

You can use "great height" to describe the vertical distance of objects or locations, such as "The building reached a "great height"" or "They were afraid of falling from a "great height"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "great height"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "considerable altitude", "significant elevation", or "towering stature".

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "great height"?

While grammatically correct, using "great height" might be inappropriate in abstract contexts where you intend to convey importance or complexity rather than physical dimension. In such cases, consider alternatives like "great significance" or "high level of complexity".

What's the difference between "great height" and "high altitude"?

"Great height" generally refers to the vertical dimension of an object or the distance above a base, whereas "high altitude" specifically denotes a significant elevation above sea level. They are interchangeable in some contexts but not all.