mountains

USAGE SUMMARY

'mountains' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to physical land masses that are much taller than hills, usually composed of rock or ice. Example sentence: We went on an incredible hike through the mountains last weekend.

✓ Grammatically correct

Travel

News & Media

Lifestyle

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thus do peaches and nectarines turn into issues involving debt mountains, military no-go zones and historic ethnic rivalries.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's the opportunity to take a ferry to spy some of the largely inaccessible mountains that sit next to the take, or you can go for a paddle yourself.

The Guardian - Travel

But the relative isolation this harsh landscape affords also means the fishing villages, hill villages and maritime towns built on and under these slopes have been able to hold on to their charm and beauty as stubbornly as they've clung on to the mountains on which they're so precariously built.

The Guardian - Travel

The downside of such a unique situation and character is, of course, the Riviera price tag, often as steep as the Lattari mountains themselves.

The Guardian - Travel

In the mountains, or the forest with my own thoughts I can escape from the world for a bit.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Welcome to the US border town of Nogales, home to the largest fresh-produce gateway into the US – a Big Food superhighway where convoys of vast trucks roll in from Mexico, sometimes dumping mountains of crops into landfill if, for example, the price of Florida tomatoes suddenly drops.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Rooms from £140 (marrakech-riad.co.uk/riad-star-homepage/) Le Palais Paysan This modern retreat opened in the foothills of the Atlas mountains this summer, offering respite from the heat and hustle of Marrakech, 25km away.

The Guardian - Travel

AUSTRIA British snow is all very well, but it doesn't hold a candle to the gleaming white mountains of the Tyrol.

The Guardian - Travel

She paid smugglers to cross to Libya via Algeria, only to be robbed in the mountains.

The Guardian

While the views, over the lagoon and on to the beaches and mountains beyond, were spectacular, the food was not.

The Guardian - Travel

01455 292888, thedandelionhideaway.co.uk If climbing and abseiling on normal mountains is too tame, how about doing both underground in a disused mine?

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mountains" to describe a geographical feature with significant elevation, larger than hills. Ensure you have the correct pluralization when referring to more than one.

Common error

Don't confuse "mountains" with "hills". "Mountains" are significantly taller and steeper than "hills". Using "hills" when you mean "mountains" can undermine the impact of your description.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mountains" is as a plural noun. It refers to multiple elevated landforms characterized by steep slopes and significant height. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing landscapes and geographical features.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

30%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Books

10%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mountains" is a grammatically correct and very common plural noun used to describe elevated landforms. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it appears most frequently in news and media, travel writing, and lifestyle content. When using "mountains", ensure you are referring to multiple peaks and not confusing them with smaller landforms like "hills". For variety, consider alternatives like "highlands" or "mountain ranges", but be mindful of the specific context. "Mountains" is a versatile term suitable for neutral and descriptive communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mountainous areas

Highlights areas characterized by the presence of many mountains.

mountain ranges

Focuses on a chain or group of mountains rather than individual peaks.

alpine regions

Specifically refers to high-mountain environments, often associated with snow and ice.

highlands

Emphasizes elevated land in general, not necessarily distinct peaks.

towering summits

Highlights the impressive height of mountain peaks.

elevated terrain

A more formal and general term for land that is above sea level.

rugged peaks

Emphasizes the rough and uneven nature of mountain summits.

scenic highlands

Emphasizes the aesthetic appeal of elevated regions.

natural elevations

A broader term encompassing any natural rise in land.

geological uplifts

Focuses on the geological processes that create mountains.

FAQs

How do I use "mountains" in a sentence?

You can use "mountains" to describe a range of elevated landforms. For example, "We hiked through the "mountain range" last summer."

What are some alternatives to using the word "mountains"?

Depending on the context, you can use terms like "highlands", "peaks", or ""mountain range"" to describe elevated landforms.

What is the difference between "mountains" and "hills"?

"Mountains" are generally much taller and steeper than "hills". Hills are smaller and have a more rounded shape, whereas "mountains" often have a more prominent peak.

Is it correct to say "mountain" instead of "mountains"?

The correct usage depends on whether you are referring to a single mountain or multiple. Use "mountain" for one and "mountains" for more than one. For example, "Mount Everest" versus "the Himalayan "mountains"".