high winds

USAGE SUMMARY

"high winds" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to winds that are typically strong and gusty, e.g. The weather report forecasted high winds over the next few days.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

High winds.

The New Yorker

That's better in high winds.

The New York Times

High winds, they warned.

The New Yorker

Most of the accidents involved high winds.

The New York Times

But high winds were expected this weekend.

The New York Times

The forecast is for high winds.

The New York Times - Sports

High winds were buffeting her off course.

The Guardian - Opinion

There were high winds and sandstorms.

The Guardian

High winds made the problem worse.

The New York Times

High winds had created high scores.

The New York Times - Sports

However, it is vulnerable to high winds.

Engineering Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of "high winds", use specific verbs like "topple", "shatter", or "hamper" to create a vivid image.

Common error

Instead of simply stating that "high winds" caused damage, describe the specific type of damage, such as "high winds shattered windows" or "high winds toppled trees".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "high winds" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or part of a prepositional phrase. It describes a meteorological condition characterized by strong air currents. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing events affected by this condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "high winds" is grammatically sound and very commonly used, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves primarily to describe weather conditions characterized by strong air currents. As the examples demonstrate, the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources, and maintains a neutral register applicable to diverse contexts. When using "high winds", consider employing specific verbs to detail the resultant impacts and avoiding vague adjective usage to improve clarity. Alternative phrases include "strong winds" and "gale-force winds".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strong winds

Focuses on the strength of the wind, similar to "high winds".

gale-force winds

Specifies the wind strength according to the Beaufort scale.

powerful gusts

Highlights sudden bursts of strong wind.

fierce winds

Emphasizes the intensity and force of the wind.

severe winds

Indicates winds that are dangerous and potentially damaging.

heavy winds

Describes the wind as having significant force or impact.

extreme winds

Highlights the unusual and intense nature of the wind.

stormy conditions

Broadly describes weather characterized by strong winds and other disturbances.

turbulent weather

Indicates unstable atmospheric conditions with strong and erratic winds.

windstorm

Noun referring to a storm characterized by strong winds.

FAQs

How can I use "high winds" in a sentence?

You can use "high winds" to describe weather conditions, such as "The flight was delayed due to "high winds"" or "High winds caused power outages in the area".

What are some synonyms for "high winds"?

Synonyms for "high winds" include "strong winds", "gale-force winds", and "powerful gusts" depending on the specific context.

What kind of damage can "high winds" cause?

"High winds" can cause various kinds of damage, including downed trees, power outages, structural damage to buildings, and hazardous driving conditions. In coastal regions, "high winds" can contribute to coastal erosion and flooding.

Is it correct to say "high wind" instead of "high winds"?

While "high wind" might be used in some contexts, "high winds" is the more common and generally preferred term, especially when referring to sustained periods or widespread occurrences of strong wind. "High wind" can be used adjectivally, as in "high wind warning".