high are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "high are" is not correct and usable in written English.
It may be an attempt to form a question or statement about elevation or quantity, but it lacks proper structure. Example: "How high are the mountains in this region?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"How high are they?

The Guardian

How high are my prices?

The New York Times

How high are Disney's hopes?

The New York Times

How high are the utility payments?

The Guardian - Money

Just how high are the stakes for Team USA?

The Guardian - Sport

Kids in Chardon High are back in school.

The New Yorker

Her shoes, impossibly high, are decorated with sparkling jewels.

The New York Times

Balfron high and Stirling high are also worth a look.

The Guardian

"The arts, low and high, are dominated by them.

The Guardian

How high are minimum capital requirements under Basel III?

The New York Times

Taxes, having reached a record high, are at last dropping.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject and verb agree in number; for example, use "How high is the mountain?" for singular and "How high are the mountains?" for plural.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "high are" in questions. Instead, invert the verb and subject to form a proper question, such as "How high are the prices?" not "How prices high are?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "high are" functions as part of a question or statement intended to inquire about the elevation, level, or intensity of something. However, the word order is grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig indicates, the correct forms include "How high is it?" or "What is the height of...?"

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "high are" appears frequently in various sources, it's grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, standard English requires rephrasing to forms like "How high is it?" or "What is the height?" The phrase aims to inquire about elevation, level, or intensity, and appears across diverse contexts, particularly in news and scientific media. To ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy, it's best to use correct alternatives. While its frequency suggests common usage, remember that correctness is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

How high is it?

Corrects the grammar to form a direct question about the height of something.

What is the height?

Focuses on the measurement of height, providing a more formal alternative.

How tall are they?

Replaces "high" with "tall", which is more appropriate for measuring people or objects.

To what height does it reach?

Presents a more descriptive and elaborate way of asking about the extent of something's height.

What level is it at?

Shifts the focus from physical height to a more abstract level or stage.

How elevated are they?

Uses "elevated" to describe a position above a certain level.

What's the altitude?

Specifically asks about the height above sea level.

What is its elevation?

Asks for the height of a geographical location above a fixed reference point.

How intense are they?

Alters the meaning to describe the intensity or strength rather than physical height.

What is the degree of intensity?

Formally inquires about the level of intensity of something.

FAQs

How can I correctly ask a question about height or level?

To ask about height, use the structure "How high is...?" or "What is the height of...?" For levels, consider "What level is it at?" or "How elevated is it?"

What's the difference between asking "How high is it?" and using the phrase "high are"?

"How high is it?" is a grammatically correct question asking about altitude or elevation. The phrase "high are" is not grammatically correct in standard English and should be avoided.

When is it appropriate to use the word "high" in questions?

Use "high" in questions when you're asking about altitude, elevation, intensity, or a level. For example, "How "high are the stakes" in this situation?" or "How "high is the mountain"?"

Are there alternative ways to inquire about the intensity of something instead of asking "How high is it?"

Yes, instead of asking "How high is it?" to describe intensity, you could use phrases like "How intense is it?" or "What is the degree of intensity?", depending on the context.