mountainous terrain

USAGE SUMMARY

"mountainous terrain" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to land with many mountains, for example: "The city was surrounded by mountainous terrain and lush forests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The mountainous terrain is categorized as Class 2 Level or A+ in mountaineering parlance.

Wikipedia

The mountainous terrain also limits production.

The New York Times

The mountainous terrain further complicated relief efforts.

The Economist

Ordinary turbines are ill-suited to Japan's mountainous terrain.

The Economist

Its upper 200 miles (320 km) cut through mountainous terrain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a largely mountainous terrain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The rest might be a hilly to mountainous terrain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The other half was pedaling through sometimes mountainous terrain.

The New York Times - Travel

In the lonely, mountainous terrain, spouses endure silences and slights.

The New Yorker

"It's very rocky, hilly, mountainous terrain," he said.

The New York Times

Countless caves are scattered throughout the mountainous terrain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the challenges of navigating or developing in an area, use "mountainous terrain" to emphasize the difficulties posed by steep slopes and uneven ground.

Common error

Avoid using "mountainous terrain" solely to indicate high altitude. The phrase describes the physical features of the land, not just its height above sea level. Use "high altitude" if altitude is the primary characteristic you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mountainous terrain" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, describing a geographical area characterized by mountains. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mountainous terrain" is a noun phrase commonly used to describe a landscape dominated by mountains. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance across diverse sources, including news, encyclopedias, and wikis. When writing, remember that "mountainous terrain" refers to the physical features of the land, not just its altitude. Alternatives like "rugged mountain landscape" or "highland area" can be used to emphasize different aspects of the landscape. Using "mountainous terrain" effectively enhances descriptions by conveying the specific geographical challenges and characteristics of a region.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mountainous region

A more general term referring to any area characterized by mountains.

rugged mountain landscape

Focuses on the visual aspect and challenging nature of the mountain scenery.

mountainous country

Describes a nation or territory largely covered by mountains.

alpine environment

Emphasizes the high-altitude and cold-climate characteristics.

hilly landscape

Describes a terrain with less extreme elevation changes than a mountainous one.

upland region

Indicates a higher elevation area, without necessarily implying steep mountains.

highland area

Similar to upland region, but can also imply a specific cultural or historical context.

rough topography

Highlights the uneven and irregular surface of the land, which may or may not be mountainous.

steep slopes

Focuses on the gradient of the land, which is a characteristic of mountainous areas.

elevated terrain

Simply refers to terrain that is raised above sea level, without specific details about mountains.

FAQs

How is "mountainous terrain" typically used in a sentence?

"Mountainous terrain" is often used to describe areas with steep slopes and uneven ground, as in "The construction project was challenging due to the mountainous terrain".

What are some alternative phrases for "mountainous terrain"?

Alternatives include "rugged mountain landscape", "alpine environment", or "highland area" depending on the specific characteristics you want to emphasize.

Is it more accurate to say "mountainous region" or "mountainous terrain"?

"Mountainous region" is a broader term referring to any area characterized by mountains, while "mountainous terrain" specifically refers to the physical features of the land itself. "Mountainous region" may be more appropriate if describing an area in general, whereas "mountainous terrain" is better when detailing the landscape's features.

What impact does "mountainous terrain" have on infrastructure development?

The "mountainous terrain" often makes infrastructure development more expensive and complex due to the need for specialized construction techniques and equipment.