El desnivel es tan grande como el de la cuesta.

to be

Breakdown of El desnivel es tan grande como el de la cuesta.

• el: the
• de: of
• como: as

Questions & Answers about El desnivel es tan grande como el de la cuesta.

Why does the sentence start with El in El desnivel?

Because desnivel is a masculine singular noun, so it takes the masculine singular definite article el.

• el desnivel = the difference in level / the slope / the incline
• The article is used here because the sentence is talking about a specific incline or level difference, not just any one in general.

What exactly does desnivel mean here?

Desnivel usually refers to a difference in height or level between two points. Depending on context, it can mean:

• difference in elevation
• drop
• incline
• gradient

In this sentence, it refers to the steepness or level difference being discussed.

How does tan ... como work in this sentence?

Tan ... como is the structure used to say as ... as with adjectives or adverbs.

Here:

• tan grande como = as big/large as

So the pattern is:

• tan + adjective + como

Examples:

• Es tan alto como su hermano. = He is as tall as his brother.
• Es tan difícil como parece. = It is as difficult as it seems.

In your sentence:

• El desnivel es tan grande como... = The incline/elevation difference is as great as...