sheer height

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheer height" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the impressive or extreme vertical measurement of an object or structure, often conveying a sense of awe or magnitude. Example: "The sheer height of the skyscraper left the tourists speechless as they gazed up at its towering presence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Less rough The greatest source of criticism last time round was the sheer height and thickness of rough that lined the fairways of the Royal St George's links.

The Guardian - Sport

Cashman pointed out that Robertson and closer Mariano Rivera — who has made a fine career for himself at 6-2, 185 — demonstrate that sheer height and bulk are not the only criteria needed to be a good pitcher.

The New York Times - Sports

Adam Wilkinson, of SAVE Britain's Heritage, says: "The guidelines are cheeky really...[new plans] will alter their historic settings through sheer height".Another difficulty for the tower crowd is that many of their plans are so "iconic" as to be impractical.

The Economist

Well, not quite: we once shared a lift in the Random House building in New York some 15 years ago, and I was too dumbstruck by his sheer height to even introduce myself as he had to bend over at 90 degrees to fit his frame into the elevator.

The Guardian - Books

The Ritz's sheer height may beat its rivals in Shanghai and Dubai, but DeCocinis says service is his focus not superlatives.

Forbes

There, the sheer height and force of the Mississippi River is literally pushing smaller tributaries backwards, swallowing farmland and submerging rural neighborhoods.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It rises sheer to a height of 1,000 feet (305 metres) and is 0.5 square mile (1.25 square km) in area.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She paints sharks, and ocean waves, and railroad tracks, and jumbo jets at sheer 6-foot heights.

Huffington Post

Apart from An. hancocki, which seemed to be adapting to highland conditions, vector densities from HLC declined across the sheer cliff (650 m height), by 1.7-fold, then rapidly by 30-fold till uphill (465 m height).

BMC Infectious Diseases

As with all of our baroque tenors, the later 19th-century demands of stratospheric height and sheer volume – so much part of our modern notion of what a tenor should be in, say, Verdi or Wagner, were not part of the deal.

The Guardian - Music

Who can damn the ambition, the soaring height, the sheer bravura of the Empire State Building as it soars high above the grid of mid-town Manhattan streets from clusters of less ambitious buildings of every style?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a structure or natural formation, use "sheer height" to emphasize its imposing vertical dimension and the sense of awe it inspires.

Common error

Avoid using "steep height" as a substitute for "sheer height". "Steep" describes an angle of incline, while "sheer" emphasizes the uninterrupted, vertical nature of the height.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer height" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing the characteristic of a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig showcase this, describing physical attributes such as the height of a cliff or a building.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sheer height" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to emphasize the impressive vertical dimension of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most commonly found in News & Media contexts, where it serves to convey a sense of awe or magnitude. While "sheer height" is not as frequent as some other phrases, it offers a specific and vivid way to describe vertical dimensions, differentiating itself from alternatives like "steep height" which implies a sharp angle. To enhance your writing, consider using "sheer height" when you want to highlight the imposing nature of vertical size.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immense altitude

Replaces "height" with "altitude" and "sheer" with "immense", emphasizing the great vertical distance.

extreme elevation

Uses "elevation" instead of "height", highlighting the raised position; "extreme" replaces "sheer" to denote intensity.

towering stature

Substitutes "height" with "stature", implying an imposing size; "towering" replaces "sheer" to convey grandeur.

remarkable altitude

Similar to "immense altitude" but using "remarkable" to emphasize the noteworthiness of the height.

great vertical extent

Replaces "height" with "vertical extent", focusing on the measurement; "great" replaces "sheer" to indicate magnitude.

considerable height

Uses "considerable" instead of "sheer" to indicate a significant degree of height.

imposing height

Uses "imposing" instead of "sheer" to emphasize the impressiveness of the height.

massive height

Replaces "sheer" with "massive" indicating a large or substantial height

significant elevation

Uses "significant" instead of "sheer" to denote the importance of the height.

substantial altitude

Substitutes "height" with "altitude", implying a considerable or noteworthy vertical distance.

FAQs

How can I use "sheer height" in a sentence?

You can use "sheer height" to describe the impressive vertical measurement of something, such as "The "sheer height" of the cliff was breathtaking".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "sheer height"?

Alternatives to "sheer height" include "immense altitude", "extreme elevation", or "towering stature", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "steep height" instead of "sheer height"?

No, "steep height" is not typically correct. "Sheer" emphasizes verticality without interruption, while "steep" refers to a sharp angle of incline. Therefore, use "sheer height" to describe impressive vertical size.

What does "sheer" mean in the context of "sheer height"?

In "sheer height", "sheer" emphasizes the uninterrupted and impressive vertical dimension of something. It conveys a sense of awe or magnitude.