a great step

USAGE SUMMARY

"a great step" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a big, important achievement, or when describing a significant improvement or development in a situation. For example, "The new energy policy is a great step forward in reducing our carbon emissions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's a great step forwards.

Independent

But "it is a great step forward.

The New York Times

"This is just a great step".

The New York Times - Sports

The talkies were a great step down.

The New Yorker

"I thought it was a great step forward".

The New Yorker

"That was actually a great step forward for me.

The New York Times

That is a great step forward for our country.

The New York Times

But at that level, seniors is a great step up.

The Guardian - Sport

"This is a great step in the right direction".

The New York Times

Yet it too is a great step forward.

The Guardian

"It is a great step in realizing that female rights are really human rights".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great step", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific progress or achievement is being referenced. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a great step" when the progress is minor or incremental. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great step" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great step" is a versatile phrase used to denote significant progress or advancement, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and commonly found across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While suitable for both formal and informal communication, ensure that its usage aligns with the actual importance of the progress being described. Consider alternatives like "a significant advancement" or "a major leap" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant advancement

Replaces "step" with "advancement", emphasizing the progress made.

a giant leap forward

Emphasis the importance of the step with the adjective 'giant'.

a major leap

Uses "leap" instead of "step", suggesting a more substantial and rapid progress.

a considerable stride

Employs "stride" to convey a sense of forward movement and progress.

a substantial improvement

Focuses on the positive change and betterment achieved.

a remarkable development

Highlights the noteworthiness and significance of the progress.

a positive move

Indicates that the action is beneficial and contributes to a favorable outcome.

an important milestone

Stresses the achievement of a key objective in a larger process.

a quantum jump

Implies a sudden and significant leap forward, often in a technological or scientific context.

a pivotal moment

Highlights the importance of the exact instant.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great step" to describe significant progress or advancement. For example, "The new policy is "a great step" towards achieving our environmental goals".

What are some alternatives to "a great step"?

Some alternatives include "a significant advancement", "a major leap", or "a substantial improvement" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a great step" is suitable for formal writing, but consider more precise alternatives like "a considerable stride" or "a remarkable development" for enhanced clarity.

What's the difference between "a great step" and "a good step"?

"A great step" implies a more significant and impactful progress compared to "a good step", which suggests a more moderate or incremental improvement.