a decisive step

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decisive step" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant action or decision that has a strong impact on a situation or outcome. Example: The company's decision to invest in new technology was a decisive step towards modernizing their operations and increasing efficiency.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And this would be a decisive step".

The Guardian

The bill is a decisive step to achieve this goal".

The New York Times

The left welcomes it as a decisive step away from fossil fuels.

The Economist

It was a decisive step in the breakup of the Maratha confederacy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Federica Mogherini, EU foreign policy chief, describes the deal as a "decisive step".

The Guardian

Mr. Djukanovic has moved gingerly toward declaring Montenegro independent, but not taken a decisive step.

The New York Times

"This is a decisive step towards one-man rule in Turkey.

The Guardian

A negotiation with the guerrillas is a decisive step toward this achievement.

The New York Times

The Marlins took a decisive step toward victory with a four-run third inning.

The New York Times - Sports

So it was perhaps no surprise that neither team could take a decisive step towards Wembley.

The Guardian - Sport

The policies we launch today are a decisive step towards that goal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a decisive step" when you want to emphasize that a particular action is crucial for achieving a specific goal or resolving a situation. It suggests that the action has a strong and direct impact on the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "a decisive step" when the action is merely incremental or doesn't have a significant impact. Reserve it for situations where the action truly changes the course of events or substantially improves the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decisive step" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. It identifies a particular action or decision as being critical or significant. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase describes actions with a strong impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decisive step" is a frequently used phrase that signifies a crucial action or decision, with its usage spanning various contexts from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. When using the phrase, ensure the context warrants such a strong description and that the action genuinely has a significant impact. Consider alternatives like "a crucial move" or "a turning point" for nuanced expression. Remember that this phrase highlights significance and impact and its use should be reserved for when that is truly the case.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pivotal action

Substitutes "step" with "action", keeping the sense of importance.

a crucial move

Replaces "step" with "move", emphasizing the action taken.

a key decision

Replaces "step" with "decision", underscoring the choice made.

a significant measure

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the action taken.

a turning point

Focuses on the idea that the action marks a significant change in direction.

a game changer

Highlights the action's potential to dramatically alter the outcome.

an important initiative

Focuses on the proactive and impactful nature of the action.

a momentous decision

Emphasizes the historical or lasting impact of the decision.

a critical juncture

Highlights the importance of the moment and the action taken within it.

a bold move

Highlights the courageous or risky nature of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "a decisive step" in a sentence?

You can use "a decisive step" to describe an action that significantly contributes to achieving a goal. For example: "The company's investment in renewable energy was "a decisive step" towards reducing its carbon footprint."

What's a good alternative to "a decisive step"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a crucial move", "a turning point", or "a game changer" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to use "a decisive step" in formal writing?

While "a decisive step" is generally suitable for formal writing, ensure that the context warrants such a strong expression. If the action is minor, a more moderate phrase might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "a decisive step" and "a bold step"?

"A decisive step" emphasizes the impact and significance of the action, while "a bold move" highlights the courage or risk involved. The choice depends on which aspect you want to emphasize.