more steep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more steep" is not correct in standard English; it should be "steeper." You can use it when comparing the steepness of two or more slopes or inclines.
Example: "The second hill is steeper than the first one."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Travel

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

There have been more steep falls in recent weeks.

The Guardian - Business

From there, we faced one more steep climb before the final ascent that marked the end of the trail.

The New York Times - Travel

Mesa, (Spanish: "table"), flat-topped tableland with one or more steep sides, common in the Colorado Plateau regions of the United States; a butte is similar but smaller.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Valentine will never be gentle or bland, which means that fans' psychological spikes and drops will be more frequent and more steep.

The New Yorker

The drop-off was even more steep among viewers ages 18 to 49, the demographic mostly highly sought by the networks.

The New York Times - Arts

After the first steep pitch, the course swoops and jags down the mountain, alternating between more steep pitches and flat traverses with a few short uphill sections.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

No other N.F.L. team is more steeped in history, or as shackled by it.

The New York Times - Sports

And if its coach, Louis van Gaal, happens to be Dutch, his background is even more steeped in giving youth its chance.

The New York Times - Sports

Buy from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.ukNO CITY, writes Robert Hughes, "has ever been more steeped in ferocity from its beginnings than Rome".

The Economist

But we now live in a society more steeped in stories than any that has gone before.

The New York Times - Magazine

It also seems more steeped in unease about the current state of the Union than it was downtown.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two slopes or inclines, always use "steeper" instead of "more steep" for grammatical correctness. For example, "This hill is steeper than that one".

Common error

Avoid using "more" with adjectives that already express a comparative degree (like "steeper"). Using both is redundant and grammatically incorrect, so choose the correct comparative form of the adjective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more steep" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, aiming to describe something as having a greater degree of steepness than something else. While commonly used, Ludwig AI confirms it is not grammatically correct, with "steeper" being the appropriate form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

29%

Travel

7%

Less common in

Sports

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "more steep" appears frequently in various sources, including news and scientific articles, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct comparative form is "steeper". As Ludwig AI points out, using "steeper" ensures grammatical accuracy and is generally preferred in formal writing. When aiming for clarity and correctness, especially in professional or academic contexts, "steeper" is the recommended choice. If you need to use alternatives to the single word "steeper", consider using phrases like "more inclined" or "sharper slope".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

steeper

Single word that directly expresses the comparative of "steep".

more inclined

Emphasizes the angle or slope aspect, using "inclined" instead of "steep".

more precipitous

Suggests a very sharp or abrupt incline, adding a sense of danger or difficulty.

sharper slope

Breaks down the concept into "sharper" (more acute) and "slope", making it explicit.

greater incline

Uses "incline" as a noun to represent the slope, with "greater" indicating the comparative.

more abrupt

Highlights the suddenness or unexpectedness of the rise, rather than just the angle.

more sheer

Implies a vertical or near-vertical rise, often used for cliffs or drops.

more vertical

Directly relates to a vertical position; implies a sharp change in direction.

more difficult climb

Shifts the focus from the angle to the effort required to ascend.

tougher ascent

Similar to 'more difficult climb', emphasizing the arduous nature of going up.

FAQs

Is "more steep" grammatically correct?

No, "more steep" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct comparative form of "steep" is "steeper".

When should I use "steeper" instead of "more steep"?

You should always use "steeper" when comparing two slopes or inclines. For example, "The path became steeper as we ascended".

Are there alternative ways to say "more steep"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "more inclined" or "sharper slope" if you wish to avoid the single-word comparative form.

What is the difference between "more steep" and "steeper"?

"Steeper" is the grammatically correct comparative form of "steep". While "more steep" is sometimes used, it is considered redundant and non-standard. Therefore always use "steeper".