not so high

USAGE SUMMARY

"not so high" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing degrees or levels, for example: "The mountain is not so high as I had imagined it to be".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not so high [pressure].

Independent

"That's not so high," said Maizie.

The New York Times

The stakes in this are not so high.

The Guardian

My standard for cleanliness is not so high.

The New Yorker

Companies with not so high budget can still enjoy its features at affordable prices.

University of California, Berkeley

It's not so high pressure or whatever is associated with MIT.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Here the soil has more clay content, and the agricultural value is not so high.

The New York Times

Because the voice is not so high anymore, the runs are not so perfect".

The New York Times

That's why I picked an apartment that's not so high up.

The Guardian - Arts

This dispute would seem unimportant, if only the stakes were not so high.

MIT Technology Review

It was found out that the discrepancies of the obtained results are not so high to reject those methods.

Engineering Failure Analysis

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not so high", ensure the context clearly defines what is being compared or evaluated against to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "The price is not so high compared to last year".

Common error

Avoid using "not so high" without providing a reference point. Saying "The risk is not so high" is vague; instead, specify "The risk is not so high compared to the potential benefits".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not so high" functions as a degree modifier, specifically acting as an adverbial phrase that modifies an adjective or adverb. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to moderate or diminish the intensity of the characteristic being described.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not so high" is a versatile degree modifier used to indicate that something is less elevated, intense, or significant than it might otherwise be. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Its common occurrence in news, scientific, and academic domains, along with its neutral register, makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing. While "not so high" is generally acceptable, writers should aim for clarity by providing a specific reference point to avoid ambiguity, or choose a more appropriate alternative phrase such as "moderately low" to better convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not particularly high

Emphasizes a lack of notable height or intensity.

not very high

A common and straightforward way to express a moderate lack of height.

not extremely high

Indicates a significant but not ultimate lack of height.

not terribly high

Suggests that something is not causing great concern due to its moderate height.

not especially high

Similar to 'not particularly high', stressing a lack of special height.

moderately low

Shifts the perspective to the lower end of the spectrum.

relatively low

Points out that height is low in comparison to something else.

somewhat low

Suggests a slight or limited degree of lowness.

barely elevated

Highlights minimal elevation above a base level.

slightly reduced

Focuses on the reduction in height or intensity from a previous state.

FAQs

How can I use "not so high" in a sentence?

Use "not so high" to indicate that something is less elevated or intense than expected, for example: "The mountain was "not so high" as I anticipated".

What are some alternatives to "not so high"?

You can use alternatives like "not particularly high", "relatively low", or "moderately low" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "not as high" or "not so high"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Not as high" may be preferred in formal contexts, while "not so high" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal settings.

When is it inappropriate to use "not so high"?

Avoid using "not so high" in contexts where precision is crucial. For instance, in scientific or technical writing, more specific terms or measurements would be preferable.