it was too steep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was too steep" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where an incline or slope is excessively steep, making it difficult to navigate or climb. Example: "I tried to hike up the mountain, but it was too steep for me to continue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It was too steep a hill to climb.

The New York Times - Sports

It was too steep, sloping almost straight down".

The New York Times

When I finally walloped to a bone-shattering stop it was too steep to stand up, let alone ski.

Independent

Like most streams along the shore, it was too steep, too warm and too infertile to hold many trout.

The New York Times - Travel

It was too steep a price for the Yankees, who parted with another top prospect, Austin Jackson, in their trade for Curtis Granderson last week.

The New York Times

He told her that this was the oldest stretch of railway in the world, and that they used to have to haul the trains into Lime Street from here, because it was too steep for the early locomotives.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It was too steeped in memory and expectation, making it more like an expensive public art project than a television show.

The New Yorker

"A lot of parents say, 'We can't go here — it's too steep or too rocky,'" Mr. Gile said.

The New York Times - Travel

She asks all of us, her siblings, to contribute a certain amount; and if we feel it's too steep, she tells us to contribute what we like, and she'll cover the difference.

The New York Times

'Oh, aye, but it's too steep hereabouts, the land is too heavy.' "To be born in the Ettrick is to be born in a backward place," he would say, "where the people is all believing in old stories and seeing ghosts, and I tell you it is a curse to be born in the Ettrick".

The New Yorker

It's too steep a price to pay.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical landscapes, use "it was too steep" to clearly convey that an incline was difficult or impossible to navigate. For financial contexts, consider alternative phrases like "the price was too high" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was too steep" metaphorically when a more precise term like "excessive" or "unreasonable" would better convey the intended meaning, particularly in abstract or figurative contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was too steep" functions as a descriptive statement, typically describing a physical gradient that is difficult or impossible to traverse. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

16%

Travel

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was too steep" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe a gradient that is excessively inclined, making it difficult or impossible to traverse. As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary function is descriptive, conveying limitations imposed by steepness. While generally neutral in register, caution should be exercised to avoid confusing literal and figurative applications and to ensure clarity in abstract contexts. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki, and Travel writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was excessively inclined

Emphasizes the degree of inclination using a more formal adjective.

the slope was impassable

Focuses on the inability to traverse the slope due to its steepness.

it was an excessive grade

Replaces "steep" with "excessive grade", keeping the core meaning.

it was prohibitively inclined

Highlights the preventing nature of the slope's steepness.

the ascent was too challenging

Focuses on the challenging nature of the ascent due to the steepness.

it presented an insurmountable incline

Shifts focus to the difficulty and impossibility of overcoming the steepness.

the gradient was unmanageable

Uses "gradient" for steepness and "unmanageable" to convey the difficulty.

it was onerously steep

Uses a less common adjective "onerously" to mean burdensome due to steepness.

the price was exorbitant

Changes the context to financial, implying the cost was too high.

it was a vertical climb

Exaggerates the steepness to a nearly vertical level.

FAQs

How can I use "it was too steep" in a sentence?

You can use "it was too steep" to describe an incline or slope that is difficult or impossible to climb. For example, "The hill "it was too steep" for my bike to handle".

What can I say instead of "it was too steep"?

Alternatives include "the incline was too great", "it was excessively inclined", or "the slope was impassable", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "it was too steep" for non-physical things, like prices?

While understandable, using "it was too steep" for prices is less common. Consider using "the price was too high" or "it was too expensive" for better clarity.

What's the difference between "it was too steep" and "it's too steep"?

"It was too steep" refers to a past situation, while "it's too steep" refers to a current one. For example, "I couldn't climb it yesterday because "it was too steep"", versus "I can't climb it now because it's too steep".