a loose step

USAGE SUMMARY

"a loose step" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a step that is not firmly in place, e.g. "She took a loose step on the staircase and almost tripped."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Is there a loose step?

The New York Times

The PipBoy 100 Pebble watchface also provides some great utility, including battery indicator, connectivity loss alarm when you venture too far from your phone, and what amounts to a loose step counter via an XP display and level up system.

TechCrunch

Another comment that stunned me was that my dad was sitting on his back steps at their little red house on North Church Street in Waynesboro, PA when he noticed a loose step.

Huffington Post

The narrow flights are dangerous places where you can slip and fall, but JRock's death, I suspect, was not caused by a loose step but by a lack of cameras.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

We first did a loose selection step to identify which tumour sequences aligned to multiple reference transcripts.

Genome Medicine

Ui is transformed from goober to Übermensch, his loose steps turned into goose steps.

The New Yorker

In the third Wawrinka began to cut loose, stepping into the court and ripping winners almost at will, with one break doing the job.

The Guardian - Sport

These are best for loose steps, decking.

WikiHow

Over the weekend, the G-20 finance ministers issued a statement saying that a loose monetary policy, including steps to weaken currencies, were acceptable if used as a means to stimulate domestic growth.

The New York Times

Applying a loose selection criterion in the first step, the goal of first step is to screen out unimportant biomarkers.

Contemporary Clinical Trials

A few minutes along, I stepped on a loose rock and tumbled down the steep crater.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing potential hazards in safety reports or home inspections, use "a loose step" to clearly indicate a step that is not securely fastened and poses a tripping risk. For instance, "The staircase has several hazards, including a loose step on the second landing."

Common error

Avoid using "lose" instead of "loose". "Lose" means to misplace something, while "loose" describes something not tightly fastened. For example, "a loose step" (correct) versus "a lose step" (incorrect).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a loose step" functions as a noun phrase describing a particular characteristic of a step. It typically acts as a subject or object complement within a sentence, highlighting the condition of the step being not firmly fixed or attached. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a loose step" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a step that is not firmly fixed, often implying a potential safety hazard. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. While relatively rare, it appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. When writing, remember to differentiate "loose" from "lose" and consider alternatives like "an unsteady step" for variety. Using "a loose step" clearly conveys the message of instability and potential danger associated with such a condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unsteady step

Replaces "loose" with "unsteady", focusing on the lack of stability.

a wobbly step

Substitutes "loose" with "wobbly", emphasizing the shaky nature of the step.

an insecure step

Replaces "loose" with "insecure", highlighting the lack of firmness.

a precarious step

Uses "precarious" instead of "loose", suggesting a risky or uncertain situation.

a rickety step

Employs "rickety" to convey the dilapidated condition of the step.

a detached step

Changes "loose" to "detached", stressing the separation from the structure.

a dislodged step

Replaces "loose" with "dislodged", indicating that the step has been moved from its original position.

a shifting step

Substitutes "loose" with "shifting", highlighting movement and instability.

a compromised step

Uses "compromised" instead of "loose", to indicate the step's safety and structural integrity are in question.

a failing step

Replaces "loose" with "failing", suggesting the step is deteriorating and likely to break.

FAQs

How can I describe a staircase with stability issues using "a loose step"?

You can say, "The staircase is hazardous due to "a loose step"" or "There's "a loose step" on the second floor, posing a safety risk".

What is a similar phrase to "a loose step" that indicates instability?

Alternatives include "an unsteady step", "a wobbly step", or "an insecure step". All these options emphasize the lack of stability.

How does "a loose step" differ from "a broken step"?

"A loose step" implies the step is not firmly attached but may still be intact. "A broken step" suggests the step is damaged or fractured, potentially missing pieces.

When should I use "a loose step" in my writing?

Use ""a loose step"" when you want to specifically describe a step that is not firmly fixed, creating a potential hazard. It's suitable for safety reports, home descriptions, or when narrating a situation involving such a step.