a big step ahead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big step ahead" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate significant progress or advancement in a particular area or situation. Example: "The new policy represents a big step ahead in our efforts to promote sustainability within the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

For Liverpool, a big step ahead.

Independent

"So, I think we have a big step ahead of us before we can put ourselves in that category".

The New York Times - Sports

The management optimization of energy fluxes applied in the professional cooking sector has an attractive potential, and represents a big step ahead, because it is characterized by a high energy demand and has a large diffusion all over the world.

Energy Procedia

The acquisition will give BlackBerry a big step ahead in its own enterprise security business.

TechCrunch

Considering that proportion, today's news is a big step ahead for the business.

TechCrunch

Twilio's bid to become the go-to platform for all of a business's external communication needs took a big step ahead today.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

a big step forward.

The New York Times

But it is a big step forward.

The Economist

This will be a big step forward.

The New York Times

Still, 2006 proved a big step forward.

Independent

It was a big step forward".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a big step ahead" to highlight concrete improvements or advancements, especially when contrasting the current state with a previous one. For example, instead of simply stating progress, show what has improved, like: "The new software is a big step ahead, reducing processing time by 50%."

Common error

Avoid using "a big step ahead" for minor or incremental changes. Reserve it for situations where the improvement is genuinely substantial. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big step ahead" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It describes something as representing considerable progress or advancement. Ludwig shows various examples across contexts where it highlights positive developments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a big step ahead" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize significant progress or advancement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's most frequently found in news, science, and business contexts, conveying optimism and highlighting positive impacts. While appropriate for formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives in certain situations. Avoid overusing the phrase for minor changes to maintain its impact. Remember to use it for genuine and demonstrable improvements to enhance credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A significant leap forward

Uses "leap forward" instead of "step ahead" to emphasize a more substantial advancement and replace "big" with "significant".

A major advancement

Replaces "step ahead" with "advancement", indicating progress in a more general sense and substitute "big" with "major".

A considerable stride

Employs "stride" to suggest a significant and purposeful movement forward and substitute "big" with "considerable".

A substantial breakthrough

Uses "breakthrough" to indicate a sudden and significant discovery or achievement and substitute "big" with "substantial".

An important development

Replaces "step ahead" with "development", focusing on the evolution or growth aspect and replace "big" with "important".

A progressive move

Uses "progressive move" to indicate forward movement or improvement and replace "big" with a synonym.

A giant leap

Similar to "a significant leap forward" but using "giant" to amplify the sense of magnitude.

A quantum leap

Implies a dramatic and fundamental change or advancement.

A game changer

Suggests that something fundamentally alters the current situation or outcome.

A pivotal moment

Highlights a turning point or critical juncture in a process or situation.

FAQs

What does the expression "a big step ahead" mean?

The expression "a big step ahead" signifies substantial progress or a significant advancement in a particular situation, process, or field. It suggests a considerable improvement compared to the previous state.

How can I use "a big step ahead" in a sentence?

You can use "a big step ahead" to emphasize that something represents important progress. For example: "The company's new sustainability initiatives are "a big step ahead" in reducing its carbon footprint."

What can I say instead of "a big step ahead"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant leap forward", "a major advancement", or "a considerable stride" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a big step ahead" in formal writing?

Yes, "a big step ahead" is acceptable in formal writing, but consider using more precise alternatives like "a significant advancement" or "a major breakthrough" if a more sophisticated tone is desired. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.