mountain face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mountain face" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the vertical or steep side of a mountain, often in the context of climbing or geography. Example: "The climbers prepared to tackle the challenging mountain face, equipped with ropes and gear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"It's a steep mountain face.

The New York Times

Two people moving south 400 meters away from us," Caroon said, pointing down the mountain face.

The New York Times - Magazine

Narrow streams ran like tears down the mountain face, every so often spilling off a rock's edge: a waterfall.

The New York Times - Travel

In late October, competitors in the annual Tollhouse Face-Off scale the mountain face wearing blindfolds, gloves and diving flippers.

The New York Times - Travel

Weren't they, Harlin wondered, getting a little long in the tooth to be camping out on a steep mountain face?

The Guardian

On their fourth day, the pair managed to proceed only 100 metres on a mountain face 1,800 metres high.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

But no, she went for the sport where you stand a more than decent chance of falling down a mountain face-first and breaking something important, like a usually violin-playing arm.

The Guardian - Opinion

Waterfalls tumble from the sheer mountain faces.

The New York Times

Last year, Green Mountain faced expirations of the patents that covered its brewing system.

The New York Times

Thousands of women were enslaved; those that hid in the mountain faced starvation and dehydration.

The New Yorker

It is an area more than 1,000 square miles with bowls, glaciers, steep mountain faces and stunning tree skiing.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a climbing route, use "mountain face" to emphasize the challenge and verticality of the climb. For example, "The climbers prepared to tackle the challenging "mountain face", equipped with ropes and gear."

Common error

Avoid using "mountain face" when "mountain side" or "mountain slope" would be more accurate. "Mountain face" implies a steep or vertical surface, while the other terms are more general. For example, don't say "We hiked up the "mountain face"" if you actually hiked up a gentle slope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mountain face" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it describes a specific part of a mountain.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mountain face" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes the steep or vertical side of a mountain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, travel, and scientific writing. When writing about mountains, it's important to distinguish between a "mountain face", which implies a steep drop, and more general terms like "mountain side" or "mountain slope". By understanding its function and appropriate usage, you can effectively and accurately describe mountainous terrain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mountain side

Focuses on the general side of the mountain, without necessarily implying a steep or vertical surface.

mountain slope

Emphasizes the inclined surface of a mountain, suitable for describing areas less steep than a "mountain face".

cliff face

Highlights the steep, vertical nature of the rock formation, suitable when the focus is on a precipitous drop.

rock face

Refers to the exposed rock surface, especially relevant when discussing geological features.

north face

Specifies the direction the mountain face is oriented, often implying challenging conditions in climbing contexts.

east face

Specifies the direction the mountain face is oriented.

west face

Specifies the direction the mountain face is oriented.

south face

Specifies the direction the mountain face is oriented.

mountain wall

Conveys a sense of a large, imposing, vertical barrier.

steep mountainside

Describes a mountainside that is characterized by its steepness.

FAQs

How can I use "mountain face" in a sentence?

You can use "mountain face" to describe the steep or vertical side of a mountain, as in: "The climbers began their ascent of the treacherous "mountain face"."

What's a good substitute for "mountain face"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "mountain side", "mountain slope", or "cliff face". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the mountain's surface.

Is it correct to say "the face of the mountain" instead of "mountain face"?

While "the face of the mountain" is understandable, "mountain face" is more concise and commonly used, especially in technical or descriptive contexts.

When should I use "mountain face" versus "mountain slope"?

"Mountain face" should be used when referring to a steep, often vertical part of a mountain. Use "mountain slope" when referring to a gentler, inclined surface.