sheer slope

USAGE SUMMARY

'sheer slope' is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to a steep incline or descent, such as a cliff or a hill. Example sentence: The hiker looked up at the sheer slope in front of him with apprehension.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A1 OBITUARIES B7 Pete Schoening A mountaineering legend who once saved a rope team of six men by single-handedly holding their weight on the sheer slope of K2, the world's second-highest peak, he was 77.

The New York Times

At dawn, they began their attack up a steep and at times near sheer slope and were successfully able to overwhelm the Italians defending the ledge, capturing 60 prisoners.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Pulling back the curtains of my hotel room window, I gazed out at the sheer slopes of Mount Etna.

Independent

The village is in a valley at the heart of the Bernese Oberland, surrounded by smooth, sheer slopes.

The Guardian - Travel

The rest of the day is spent traversing the sheer breadth of wine styles produced by the Douro's sheer slopes.

The Guardian - Travel

In Khapi, a village two hours' drive from La Paz, people regard the Illimani glacier as "our God, our great protector," said Mario Ariquipa Laso, 55, a wizened farmer who grows potatoes and corn on sheer slopes in the shadow of the glacier.

The New York Times - Science

"It is very inaccessible, extremely steep, difficult to operate in because of the sheer slopes, the altitude, and the selection of landing sites," said Colonel Pease, who flew out on the operation with the troops.

The New York Times

Now they are a shambles.This week rescue workers continued to dig in the wreckage after violent summer storms dumped more than a month's worth of rain on the sheer slopes of Rio's serra in hours, unleashing what officials have called a "tsunami" of mud.

The Economist

There are boulders and sheer slopes that could upset the lander.

Science Magazine

The site they have chosen is absurdly beautiful, in a tiny copse of trees on the sheerest slope of my mountain, looking out across the valley at the hills beyond.

The Guardian

Then he falls over, as I had thought he might, having watched him inch cautiously down the sheer sandstone slope.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer slope" when emphasizing the extreme steepness and directness of an incline. It conveys a sense of imposing verticality.

Common error

Avoid using "sheer slope" to describe gentle or gradual inclines. The term implies a nearly vertical drop, and using it incorrectly will mislead your reader.

Linguistic Context

"Sheer slope" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, typically modifying a geographical feature like a mountain, hill, or cliff. It emphasizes the extreme steepness of the incline. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing challenging terrains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer slope" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe a very steep incline. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, though its frequency is relatively uncommon. The phrase is primarily found in news media and encyclopedic contexts, serving to vividly depict challenging or dangerous geographical features. When using "sheer slope", be sure to emphasize extreme steepness rather than using it on minor hills. Alternative phrases like "steep incline" or "precipitous grade" may be appropriate depending on the specific context. Also, remember that "sheer" means vertical, so using it incorrectly would be misleading.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near-vertical slope

More detailed in explanation, adding 'near' as an approximation.

steep incline

Focuses on the angle of the slope, replacing "sheer" with a more general adjective.

steep gradient

Replaces incline with gradient, but doesn't change overall meaning.

precipitous grade

Uses more formal language to describe a very steep slope.

sheer cliff face

Highlights the cliff aspect and the steepness of the face.

vertical descent

Emphasizes the downward direction and the near-vertical nature of the slope.

perpendicular incline

Emphasizes an angle of 90 degrees.

straight drop

Highlights the steepness of the incline.

sharp declivity

Employs a less common, more technical term for a downward slope.

abrupt rise

Describes the opposite direction (upward), but implies a similar steepness.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The climbers carefully navigated the "sheer slope" of the mountain" or "The house was built on a "sheer slope" overlooking the valley".

What's a good substitute for "sheer slope"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "steep incline", "precipitous grade", or "vertical descent".

Is it correct to describe a small hill as a "sheer slope"?

No, using "sheer slope" to describe a small hill would be inaccurate. "Sheer" implies a very steep, almost vertical drop, so it's more appropriate for cliffs or very steep mountainsides.

What is the difference between "sheer slope" and "steep slope"?

"Sheer slope" emphasizes the extreme verticality and abruptness of the incline, while "steep slope" simply indicates a significant incline without necessarily implying near-verticality.