how tall you are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how tall you are" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about someone's height, often in a casual or conversational context. Example: "Can you tell me how tall you are? I'm curious to know if you're taller than me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Depends on how tall you are when you stand up.

The New Yorker

"It's not about how tall you are," she said.

The Guardian - Sport

"The playing should be from your heart and not dependent on how tall you are".

The New Yorker

Obviously I don't know how tall you are, but bear this in mind when trying on ruffles.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We don't care how tall you are, how short you are, how fat you are, what color you are.

The New York Times

Sitting, on the other hand, looks ridiculous and shameful — like you're afraid to admit exactly how tall you are — and is terrible for you.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

When did you last measure how tall you were?

The Guardian

Hall cites a wealth of evidence suggesting that how much you are paid in adulthood is determined by how tall you were at age 16.

The New York Times - Books

There used to be a joke that the careers advice in the mid-years of the school was largely based on how tall you were.

The Guardian - Books

Record it in a notebook, or anything in which you can keep track of how tall you're growing.

WikiHow

Like with most superficial issues, anyone that cares about how short or tall you are is an asshole".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience: adjust your language (formal vs. informal) depending on who you're addressing.

Common error

Avoid using "stature" interchangeably with "height" in informal contexts. While related, "stature" often implies social standing or reputation, not just physical height.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how tall you are" functions as a relative clause or an indirect question when embedded within a larger sentence. It specifies or provides information about someone's height, often in relation to another factor. Ludwig AI confirms this usage as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "how tall you are" functions as a relative clause or indirect question and is generally grammatically correct, as indicated by Ludwig AI. It's a common way to inquire about or refer to someone's height, suitable for neutral to informal contexts. Though versatile, it's important to consider the social appropriateness of asking about someone's physical attributes directly. Remember to use specific units and avoid confusing "height" with "stature" in informal settings. Ludwig examples range from news articles to wikis, reflecting its broad usability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how tall are you

A more direct and common question.

what is your height

Directly asks for height, offering a more straightforward inquiry.

can you tell me your height

A polite and direct question about someone's height.

your height

Refers directly to height as a characteristic.

how high do you stand

Uses a more figurative expression for height.

what's your stature

Replaces "height" with "stature", providing a more formal tone.

what is your vertical measurement

Emphasizes the precise, measurable aspect of height.

your elevation

Uses 'elevation' in a less literal sense, implying a level of height.

height

Simply states the noun, referring to the general concept of height.

how much do you measure

Focuses on the measurement aspect, rather than directly asking for height.

FAQs

How can I ask about someone's height politely?

You can use phrases like "how tall are you?", "what is your height?", or "can you tell me your height?"

What's a more formal way to inquire about height?

In formal contexts, consider using "what is your stature?", though be aware this can sometimes imply more than just physical height.

Is it always appropriate to ask 'how tall you are'?

While generally acceptable, consider the context. In some social situations, directly asking about someone's physical attributes might be considered impolite. Use discretion.

How does 'how tall you are' differ from 'what is your height'?

"How tall you are" is often used in a more casual or explanatory context, while "what is your height?" is a more direct question.