steep hierarchy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steep hierarchy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a system or organization in which those of a higher rank, status, or authority are placed above those of a lower rank, status, or authority. For example, "The management team in this company operates within a steep hierarchy, with the CEO at the top and the administrative assistants at the bottom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Our universities are arranged in a steep hierarchy.

The Guardian

Self-organizing networks don't work well in a steep hierarchy.

Harvard Business Review

Its universities form a steep hierarchy, with Oxbridge at the top, so national exam results really matter.

The Economist

In each country the combined outcome of historical inequalities and market forces is a steep hierarchy of higher education institutions (HEIs), informal but real.

The Guardian

The combination of new purposes and new structural materials led to a new organizational style the bureaucratic big company with its narrowly organized jobs, short spans of control, functional divisions, and steep hierarchy.

Harvard Business Review

The researchers find that, if there is an initial inequality in how information is distributed, lowering communication costs counter-intuitively sustains this steep hierarchy and promotes inequality.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Most pilots (97%) and intensive care staff (94%) rejected steep hierarchies (in which senior team members are not open to input from junior members), but only 55% of consultant surgeons rejected such hierarchies.

Duke University

Centralized power and steep hierarchies will not be the winning recipe for the future.

Huffington Post

Steep hierarchies in medicine, not limited to Kenya, have caused trainees to be reluctant in voicing their concerns in critical situations [ 45].

BMC Medical Education

The lack of steep hierarchies could mean that most nurses feel comfortable raising their concerns with physicians, but it could lead to unclear professional roles which would cause other difficulties.

BMC Nursing

Under the stress of the situation three doctors failed to see the way that could have saved her (a tracheostomy), a nurse who could see didn't feel able to speak up about it (that's the too-steep hierarchy gradient), and Elaine died.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing organizational structures, use "steep hierarchy" to effectively convey a system where power is concentrated at the top and there are many layers of management.

Common error

Avoid using "steep" and "rigid" interchangeably. While both describe hierarchies, "steep" emphasizes the number of levels and power gradient, whereas "rigid" focuses on the inflexibility of the structure. Use "rigid hierarchy" when you want to express inflexibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steep hierarchy" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It describes a specific type of organizational or social structure characterized by a significant power differential between levels. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "steep hierarchy" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe organizational and social structures with many management layers and a significant power distance between levels. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase found in news, scientific, and business contexts. While not overly frequent, it effectively conveys a specific type of organizational arrangement. Be mindful of differentiating it from "rigid hierarchy", which emphasizes inflexibility rather than simply the number of levels. When writing, use "steep hierarchy" to precisely convey a multi-layered structure where power is concentrated at the top.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rigid hierarchy

Replaces "steep" with "rigid", emphasizing inflexibility rather than just the number of levels.

strict pecking order

Uses a different metaphor (pecking order) to convey a similar hierarchical structure, specifically focusing on dominance.

tall hierarchy

Emphasizes the vertical extent of the hierarchy, suggesting many layers.

hierarchical structure with many levels

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the hierarchical nature and the presence of numerous levels.

highly stratified system

Uses "stratified" to highlight the layered nature of the system and "highly" to emphasize the degree.

top-down organization

Focuses on the direction of authority flow within the organization.

centralized authority

Highlights the concentration of power at the top of the hierarchy.

uneven power distribution

Describes the unequal distribution of power characteristic of steep hierarchies.

vertical management structure

Focuses on the vertical aspect of the management structure, implying a clear chain of command.

multi-layered organization

Highlights the multiple layers within the organizational structure.

FAQs

How can I use "steep hierarchy" in a sentence?

You can use "steep hierarchy" to describe organizations or systems where there's a significant power distance between levels. For example: "The company's steep hierarchy made it difficult for junior employees to voice their opinions."

What's an alternative to saying "steep hierarchy"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "rigid hierarchy", "strict pecking order", or "top-down organization".

Is "steep hierarchy" a negative term?

Not necessarily. While "steep hierarchy" can imply a lack of employee empowerment, it simply describes a structure. Its positive or negative connotation depends on the context and the specific effects of that structure.

What are the characteristics of a "steep hierarchy"?

A steep hierarchy is characterized by many layers of management, a significant power distance between levels, and often, limited communication between top and bottom.