steeper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steeper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the degree of incline or slope, often in contexts related to geography, finance, or difficulty levels. Example: "The new hiking trail is much steeper than the old one, making it more challenging for beginners."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The sad news is this will mean the rise in unemployment is likely to be even steeper".

The Guardian - Business

There are climbs in the finale, Wegelius believes, that are longer and steeper than the race roadbook suggests – as well as the ones that aren't marked – not to mention the super-steep descents.

The Guardian - Sport

A steel handle has been designed to allow two pushers for steeper hills.

The Guardian

No other country participating in Pisa saw a steeper decline than Sweden over that period".

The Guardian

The previous day's competition with Andrzej had shown us both that, while we were fighting each other for that podium place, we were also well matched for pace and had similar tactics for travelling fast in the mountains: run all the downhills, flats and gentle rises and power walk the steeper sections.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now 17, Tiafoe has been on a far steeper learning curve.

The Guardian - Sport

New figures, however, have indicated a much steeper fall in the numbers considering their views to be broadly in line with the church.

The Guardian

The faster house prices rise over the next few months, the steeper that eventual decline will be.

The Economist

Prices of goods as they left factory gates fell 2.2% in October from a year earlier, steeper than the 1.8% decline in September.

The Economist

But although discounting has helped offset even steeper declines, it has eaten up the revenues of hotel chains and of the government.

The Economist

Spending on other kinds of capital might trudge higher at single-digit rates as always, but the tech sector was on a steeper curve.This argument was often heard as the Nasdaq steamed ahead, justifying giddy earnings multiples.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or changes, use "steeper" to indicate a faster or more significant rate of increase or decrease. For example, "The decline in sales was steeper than anticipated."

Common error

Avoid using "steeper" when you simply mean "steep". "Steeper" is a comparative adjective; it should be used to compare two or more things. It's incorrect to say "The hill is steeper" without implying or stating what it's steeper than.

Linguistic Context

The word "steeper" functions primarily as a comparative adjective. As noted by Ludwig AI, it modifies a noun by indicating a higher degree of inclination, slope, or rate of change when compared to something else. For example, "a steeper decline" or "steeper hills".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "steeper" is a comparative adjective commonly used to indicate a higher degree of inclination or rate of change. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and prevalent across various contexts, especially in news, business, and scientific writing. The word choice allows for precise comparisons of inclines or changes. When employing "steeper", ensure that a point of comparison is either explicitly stated or implied. Remember, it’s about comparing, not just describing, an incline or shift. Using this guidance can help clarify your writing and make your comparisons more impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greater gradient

Highlights the rate of change in slope, indicating a more significant difference in elevation.

increased incline

Directly refers to the slope becoming greater, suitable for physical contexts.

sharper ascent

Focuses on the upward movement and highlights that it is more pronounced.

sharper rise

Emphasizes the increase or ascent, suggesting a more abrupt and noticeable upward change.

more pronounced rise

Highlights that the growth or increase is more noticeable or distinct.

more abrupt

Highlights a sudden and unexpected change, implying a higher degree of immediacy.

more dramatic increase

Implies the growth is substantial and likely unexpected or impactful.

more inclined

Focuses on the angle or slope, highlighting a greater degree of inclination.

more precipitous

Implies a very steep or vertical drop, suggesting a higher degree of abruptness.

more acute

Emphasizes the sharpness or severity of an angle or change, implying a more intense effect.

FAQs

How can I use "steeper" in a sentence?

Use "steeper" to compare inclines, slopes, rates of change, or degrees of difficulty. For example, "The new path has a "steeper incline" than the old one" or "The company faced a "steeper decline in profits" this quarter."

What's a good alternative to "steeper"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "more inclined", "sharper rise", or "greater gradient" to describe something that is more inclined or changes more rapidly.

Is it correct to say "a steeper increase" or "a more steep increase"?

"A steeper increase" is generally preferred because "steeper" is already the comparative form of "steep". While "more steep" isn't grammatically incorrect, it's less common and can sound awkward. "Steeper" is the standard way to express a larger increase.

What is the difference between "steep" and "steeper"?

"Steep" describes something having a high angle or incline, while "steeper" compares two or more things, indicating one has a greater angle or incline than the other. For instance, "This hill is steep" versus "This hill is "steeper than that one"".