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Guest Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
Highest or tallest
Which sentence is correct.
1. Mt. Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
2. Mt. Everest is the tallest mountain in the world.
I know the answer is "highest". I just don't understand why. Thanks.
1. Mt. Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
2. Mt. Everest is the tallest mountain in the world.
I know the answer is "highest". I just don't understand why. Thanks.
Top answer
g. factory chimneys or electricity pylons). Example: I'd like something cool to drink in a tall glass.
- g.
- factory chimneys or electricity pylons).
- Example: I'd like something cool to drink in a tall glass.
- In other cases we usually prefer 'high': Mount Elbruz is the highest mountain in Europe.
- In measurements, we use 'tall' for people, but we often use 'high' for things.
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1 Answers
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From Michael Swan's Practical Usage of English:
We use 'tall' mostly for people, trees, buildings with many floors, and a few other things which are higher than they are wide (e.g. factory chimneys or electricity pylons). Example:
I'd like something cool to drink in a tall glass.
In other cases we usually prefer 'high':
Mount Elbruz is the highest mountain in Europe
We use 'tall' mostly for people, trees, buildings with many floors, and a few other things which are higher than they are wide (e.g. factory chimneys or electricity pylons). Example:
I'd like something cool to drink in a tall glass.
In other cases we usually prefer 'high':
Mount Elbruz is the highest mountain in Europe
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