Main Difference – High vs. Tall
High and tall are two adjectives we use to talk about height. The main difference between high and tall is that high refers to a great distance from top to bottom while tall refers to a great or more than average height. In this article, we’ll be exploring this difference between high and tall in more detail.
High – Meaning and Usage
High is an adjective that refers to a great vertical extent. This means that we can use high when we are talking about an object that has a great distance from top to bottom. We always use high when we are talking about inanimate things. For example, we use high to describe the size of a mountain. In addition, we also use high when something is far above the ground and beyond our reach. The following sentences will clarify this meaning.
Their house is like a prison; it is surrounded by high walls and fences.
To the north of the terrain, there are high mountains.
The palace was built high up on the hill.
The shelf was too high for the children to reach.
In all this examples, you’ll notice that high always describes objects that are wide and large. High should not be used to talk about narrow things of above average size. For example, things like trees, plants and buildings as well as people are not described by high.
Tall – Meaning and Usage
Tall is an adjective that is used to describe something that is above average in height. We always use tall when we are talking about the height of people.
He saw a tall, broad-shouldered man running away from the scene of the crime.
She is the tallest girl in her class.
He has grown tall.
The difference between high and tall can be distinguished by the overall size of an object. If an object’s width is greater than its height, that is to say, they are narrower or thinner than higher, we always use tall. Thus, we can use tall to describe trees, buildings, people, ladders, etc.
He climbed into a tall tree.
Her apartment is in the second tall building on the left.
However, when we are talking about the measurements, we only use tall for people. High is used for objects.
He is six feet tall.
This tree is 30m high.
Difference Between High and Tall
Meaning
High refers to a great distance from top to bottom.
Tall refers to an above average height.
Living vs. Non-lining
High is only used with non-living things.
Tall is used with living things.
Dimensions of the object
High is used for things which are very wide.
Tall is used for things whose height is greater than other dimensions.
Parts of Speech
High can be used as an adjective, noun or adverb.
Tall can be used as an adjective.
Measurements
High is used to talk about measurements of objects.
Tall is used to talk about measurements of people.
