a main step

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a main step" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant or primary action in a process or procedure. Example: "Identifying the target audience is a main step in developing a successful marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Although Mrs. Whitman did not echo the suggestion that there was evidence of racial discrimination problems in local and city police agencies, she cited the video cameras as a main step to eliminate these concerns for the police force she controls.

The New York Times

Coarse grid generation from finely gridded geological model is a main step in reservoir simulation.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

The method consists of a main step where monthly accumulations of the radar data are scaled by those retrieved from the gridded data for each month.

Journal of Hydrology

Necessary and sufficient conditions for lowering the order of the derivatives in one step are presented and a main step in the approach is to obtain a state-space realization of the residual generator.

Automatica

Within a main step, there are two Repeat loops that are mutually exclusive; any iteration of an internal loop dismisses an option that is inefficient, so it will not be considered any further.

European Transport Research Review

In an Executive Order issued on March 19 titled Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade, President Obama specifically identified building energy efficiency as a main step in meeting sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction targets, and directed Federal agencies to conform, "when feasible, to city energy performance benchmarking and reporting requirements".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

VICE News travels to Sicily, a main stepping stone into Europe, to follow a police operation to arrest suspected smugglers at a boat landing.

Vice

VICE News travels to Sicily, a main stepping stone into Europe, to follow a police operation to arrest suspected smugglers at a boat landing, and meet a former member of a people trafficking network operating between Libya, Egypt, and Italy.

Vice

We prepared multiwalled carbon nanotube/polystyrene (MWCNT/PS) nanocomposites using a latex-based process, the main step of which consists of directly mixing an aqueous suspension of exfoliated MWCNTs and a PS latex, both stabilized by an anionic surfactant.

Polymer

In establishing such a faculty evaluation system, the main step is the appropriate adaptation of the Standards.

BMC Medical Education

Furthermore, as each Main step yields an efficient option, there are at most |I| of them.

European Transport Research Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a multi-stage process, use "a main step" to highlight particularly important stages. This helps the audience focus on key elements.

Common error

Avoid using "a main step" repetitively within a single text. If several steps are equally important, consider using alternative phrasing or grouping them into a broader category to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a main step" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a principal action or stage within a series of actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, providing examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a main step" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the significance of a particular action or stage in a process. Ludwig AI validates this assessment with examples drawn from diverse sources, including science, news, and formal business contexts. Alternatives such as "a key step" or "a crucial step" offer similar meanings. While widely applicable, overuse should be avoided to maintain emphasis. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communications. Always ensure that the "main step" is indeed pivotal to the overall process being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key step

Replaces 'main' with 'key', emphasizing the importance of the step.

a crucial step

Replaces 'main' with 'crucial', highlighting the essential nature of the step.

an important step

Substitutes 'main' with 'important', indicating the significance of the step.

a primary step

Replaces 'main' with 'primary', focusing on the foundational nature of the step.

a central step

Substitutes 'main' with 'central', emphasizing the step's core position in the process.

a vital step

Replaces 'main' with 'vital', stressing the necessity of the step.

a significant step

Substitutes 'main' with 'significant', underlining the impact of the step.

a fundamental step

Replaces 'main' with 'fundamental' to show that the step is foundational.

a critical step

Replaces 'main' with 'critical' to convey a sense of urgency or high stakes.

an essential step

Replaces 'main' with 'essential' to stress the necessity of the step.

FAQs

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

You can use "a main step" to highlight a significant action or stage in a process. For instance, "Securing funding is "a main step" in launching a startup".

What are some alternatives to "a main step"?

Alternatives include "a key step", "a crucial step", or "an important step", depending on the specific emphasis you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "a main step" in formal writing?

Yes, "a main step" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and direct way to indicate a significant stage in a process, as shown in various scientific and news articles.

What distinguishes "a main step" from "a minor step"?

"A main step" emphasizes the primary or essential nature of the action, whereas "a minor step" suggests a less critical or secondary action. Choosing between them depends on the step's importance within the broader process.