hundreds of feet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hundreds of feet" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could write: "The mountain rose hundreds of feet above the valley floor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Between 11th Street and 14th Street, hundreds of feet of additional waterlots west of West Street were filled.

The New York Times

Almost straight down them — hundreds of feet — are waves.

The New Yorker

The Equator is hundreds of feet to the north.

The New York Times

Even relatively modest rockets are hundreds of feet high.

The Economist

Shovel, with caption, "Dig hundreds of feet beneath the earth!

The New Yorker

"They're hundreds of feet underground," another sandhog said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The army forces in the expedition consisted of the 15th, 28th, 33rd, 37th, 54th, and 57th Regiments of Foot, and part of the 46th.

Wikipedia

He led the remainder of the provincials, consisting primarily of Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Connecticut men, north to Fort Edward, where they joined 6,000 regular troops (about 2,000 Royal Highlanders, as well as the 17th, 27th, and 53rd Regiments of Foot, the 1st battalion of the 60th Foot, about 100 Royal Artillery, 700 of Rogers Rangerss, and 500 light infantry under Thomas Gage).

Wikipedia

He was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, which consisted of the 34th, 53rd, 62nd, and 20th Regiments of Foot.

Wikipedia

On 19 September 1777, in Stillwater, New York, Hamilton commanded 1,100 men of the centre column, consisting of the 9th, 20th, 21st, and 62nd Regiments of Foot, which attacked the heights at the Battle of Freeman's Farm.

Wikipedia

He was assigned to the 1st Brigade, comprising the 9th, 47th, and 53rd Regiments of Foot.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing dimensions, ensure the context clarifies whether you're referring to height, length, or depth for accurate communication.

Common error

Avoid using "hundreds of feet" when "dozens of feet" or "thousands of feet" would be more accurate; always consider the actual scale you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hundreds of feet" functions as a modifier specifying a measurement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound, offering a concrete sense of scale.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hundreds of feet" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe measurements of height, length, or depth. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, especially news and media, due to its neutral register. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context clarifies the dimension being described. For alternative phrasing, consider using options like "dozens of meters" or "significant height" depending on the desired level of precision and the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dozens of meters

Changes the unit of measurement to the metric system.

significant height

Replaces the numerical quantification with a qualitative description.

considerable depth

Shifts the context to a downward measurement.

substantial length

Focuses on horizontal distance instead of vertical.

notable distance

Generalizes the magnitude of the separation.

extensive span

Implies coverage over an area rather than just length or height.

a large expanse

Emphasizes area size, not just linear measurement.

imposing altitude

Focuses on elevation and impressiveness.

towering height

Highlights extreme vertical dimension.

vast stretch

Implies a broad, extended area.

FAQs

How can I use "hundreds of feet" in a sentence?

You can use "hundreds of feet" to describe height, length, or depth, such as: "The cliff dropped "hundreds of feet" to the beach below."

What's a less specific alternative to "hundreds of feet"?

If precision isn't necessary, you could use phrases like "a considerable distance", "a significant height", or "a substantial length" instead of "hundreds of feet".

Is it more appropriate to use meters instead of "hundreds of feet" in some contexts?

Yes, in scientific or international contexts, using metric units like meters (e.g., "dozens of meters") may be more appropriate than "hundreds of feet".

How does the context change the meaning of "hundreds of feet"?

The context dictates whether "hundreds of feet" refers to vertical height (e.g., a building's height), horizontal length (e.g., the distance between two points), or depth (e.g., how far underground something is).