a line of steps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a line of steps" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sequence of actions or procedures that need to be followed to achieve a particular goal. Example: "To complete the project successfully, please follow a line of steps outlined in the manual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I continued cutting a line of steps upwards.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The atmosphere outside Ford Field was otherwise somber and quiet, video from the Detroit Free Press shows, as a line of officers stepped up to pay their respects to Rose, who was fatally shot in the line of duty last week.

Huffington Post

On Friday, down a long line of steps from Joan, an anonymous author's suggestion remained scrawled in black on a wall behind the disfigured Law statue.

The Washington Post

Fast PET image reconstruction algorithms usually use a Line-of-Response (LOR) preprocessing step where the detected raw LOR data are interpolated either to evenly spaced sinogram projection bins or alternatively to a generic projection space as for example proposed by the PET Reconstruction Software Toolkit (PRESTO) [1].

EJNMMI Physics

Will a line of Italian men step forward to say they inspired Phil Cavilleri, Jenny's saintly dad?

The New York Times

In the general campaign, the candidate would be stuck with either continuing a line of thought out of step with a pivotal segment of voters or reverting to original form, thereby inviting accusations of being an opportunistic flip-flopper.

Huffington Post

About 3 p.m., a police chief was heard issuing orders for subordinates to get bullhorns and a prisoner van to help clear the sidewalks on the eastern edge of Foley Square, where a line of officers blocked the steps to the state courthouse.

The New York Times

San Diego has dealt with its share of municipal scandals over the years, with a line of mayors who have stepped aside, including Richard M. Murphy, a Republican who was forced out of office in 2005 in the midst of a pension financing crisis that led San Diego to earn the nickname Enron-by-the-Sea.

The New York Times

Meaning "iron roads", they are a line of metal ladder, cables and steps driven into rock and were first constructed in the Great War as a way of controlling high ground in the Dolomites.

The Guardian - Travel

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Vice

The company, which travels around the world to festivals to decorate the bodies of attendees and has a line of products for sale, recently stepped up the glitter booty trend by adding jewels to the mix.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a line of steps" when you want to emphasize a literal or figurative sequence where each step is visually or conceptually aligned.

Common error

Avoid using "a line of steps" when a simpler term like "sequence" or "process" would be more appropriate and less verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a line of steps" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object within a sentence. The primary example from Ludwig describes steps carved into a mountain. This supports its use as a description of a physical feature or, metaphorically, as a series of actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a line of steps" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes a sequential arrangement, either physical or metaphorical. Though relatively rare in usage, as indicated by Ludwig, the phrase appears in both news and scientific contexts. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, serving to depict or describe a progression. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. For alternatives, consider "a series of steps" or "a sequence of actions" to avoid overusing the phrase in abstract contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of steps

Changes the structure to emphasize a sequence rather than a physical arrangement.

a sequence of actions

Shifts from a physical description to a process-oriented view.

a progression of stages

Emphasizes the gradual development or advancement.

a chain of events

Implies a cause-and-effect relationship between the steps.

a flight of stairs

Refers specifically to stairs, losing the broader implications of "steps".

a set of procedures

Highlights the formal or methodical aspect.

a course of action

Focuses on a plan or strategy.

a string of operations

Suggests a more technical or mechanical process.

a ladder of ascent

Figurative language; symbolizes advancement.

incremental advancements

Focuses specifically on progress made in small increments.

FAQs

How can I use "a line of steps" in a sentence?

You can use "a line of steps" to describe a physical arrangement, such as steps carved into a mountain, or metaphorically, to describe a series of actions needed to achieve a goal. For instance, "He continued cutting "a line of steps" upwards on the icy slope".

What are some alternatives to "a line of steps"?

Alternatives include "a series of steps", "a sequence of actions", or "a chain of events", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a line of steps" or "a flight of stairs"?

"A flight of stairs" refers specifically to stairs in a building, while "a line of steps" can refer to any sequence of steps, whether physical or metaphorical. Use "a flight of stairs" when you mean indoor steps.

When is it appropriate to use "a line of steps" metaphorically?

It's appropriate to use "a line of steps" metaphorically when describing a process or series of actions that build upon each other, similar to climbing physical steps to reach a higher point.