how steep it is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how steep it is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the angle or incline of a slope or hill, often in a comparative context. Example: "I was surprised by how steep it is; I didn't expect such a challenging climb."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As Berger puts it: "It doesn't matter how many circles you put on a map, you don't realise how steep it is".

The Guardian

It follows the normal economic rules - ie price rises mean student decline "but we don't know where the line is or how steep it is," says a spokesman.

The Guardian

You know how steep it is and you will suffer for it tomorrow," she said.

BBC

"The plan is to tell you the most eco way to drive, by changing your behaviour, taking in traffic conditions and the structure of the road" such as how steep it is, Mr Peterlini says.

BBC

The magnitude of the slope of a line gives us an estimate of how steep it is.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"And how steep it was.

The New York Times

"If this was any other context, people would see how steep it's going to be for these people to get a fair trial," he told me.

Vice

A sharp drop such as that of the past three weeks was quite possible, it said, but there was no way of knowing how soon it might happen or how steep it might be.More likely, the pound's tumble is the product of two things.

The Economist

The discussion has switched to how long a recession will last and how steep it will be.

The New York Times

Even two of the same machine can play very differently dependent upon a wide variety of physical factors: how strong the flippers are and what angles they are at, how clean the machine is, how steep the machine is, etc. Aiming is thus a combination of knowing the general physical rules for a pinball machine and knowing the specifics of the machine that is in front of you.

WikiHow

Though given how steep the change is, I'm guessing at least one of the customers really started to take off.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In abstract contexts, use "how steep it is" to emphasize the magnitude or intensity of a challenge, change, or learning curve.

Common error

Avoid using "how steep it is" in situations where the steepness is not relevant to the context. For example, saying "I didn't realize how steep it is to learn to play the piano" is less appropriate than "I didn't realize how difficult it is to learn to play the piano".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how steep it is" functions as a relative clause, often used to describe the degree of inclination or difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for depicting a slope or challenge.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how steep it is" is a relative clause used to describe the degree of incline or difficulty, confirmed as grammatically correct by Ludwig AI. It conveys surprise or challenge, fitting in neutral contexts but leaning towards informality. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, followed by wiki and science, with limited presence in business or academic settings. Remember to use it when the steepness directly impacts the situation, and avoid overusing it in abstract contexts where other descriptive words may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the degree of steepness

This alternative replaces the relative clause structure with a noun phrase, directly referring to the characteristic of steepness.

the incline's gradient

This uses more technical terms ('incline', 'gradient') to describe the slope, suitable for a formal context.

the level of difficulty

This alternative shifts the focus from physical steepness to the perceived challenge or difficulty involved.

the angle of ascent

This phrase is specific to upward slopes and uses precise angular terminology.

the severity of the slope

This highlights the harshness or intensity of the steepness.

the abruptness of the rise

This focuses on the suddenness or unexpected nature of an increase or incline.

the magnitude of the change

This generalizes the concept of steepness to any kind of rapid change, not just physical slopes.

the intensity of the challenge

Similar to 'level of difficulty', but emphasizes the strength or force of the challenge.

the sharpness of the curve

This applies the concept of steepness to a curve or bend, suggesting a tight or acute angle.

the pitch of the roof

This uses specialized language related to architecture and construction.

FAQs

What does "how steep it is" mean?

The phrase "how steep it is" refers to the degree of inclination or slope, often implying a challenge or difficulty due to the incline. It can be used literally for physical slopes or metaphorically for challenges.

When is it appropriate to use "how steep it is"?

Use "how steep it is" when you want to emphasize the degree of a slope or the magnitude of a challenge. It's suitable when the incline or difficulty significantly affects the situation.

What can I say instead of "how steep it is" when describing a challenge?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "the level of difficulty", "the intensity of the challenge", or "the magnitude of the change".

Is "how steep it is" formal or informal?

The phrase "how steep it is" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding vocabulary and subject matter.