a marked step

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marked step" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a significant or noticeable change or progress in a particular situation or context. Example: "The new policy represents a marked step towards improving employee satisfaction and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The quality is clearly a marked step down.

The Guardian

It was a marked step away from his father's line of "military-first politics" and its priority on defense.

The New York Times

The resulting isotherms all exhibit a marked step occurring near the expected formation pressure of methane hydrates, thus supporting their occurrence within the porous materials.

Carbon

Such suggestions are perhaps rather too fanciful based on the data available right now, but are much more plausible now than even last year and that's a marked step towards understanding their real distribution.

The Guardian

Malik recently told Zane Lowe that he was "always going to rebel against the system" and while this new track is a marked step towards stabilising his solo career – imagine the decadent sultriness of the Weeknd minus the drugs and shame – it is relatively safe in the realm of modern pop (but perhaps the eeriness of Rihanna's Anti has distorted my expectations of pop).

The Guardian - Music

It's a marked step forward in Google's quest to better monetize YouTube, but I remain unconvinced.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

This is a marked step-up year on year (from 22.1%).

The Guardian - Business

The coalition government made a marked mis-step when it proposed privatisation of the Forestry Commission, which was officially abandoned but commercial incursions on to forested land have been allowed to increase.

The Guardian

Exceptionally high shelf-subsidence rates (0.8 6.0+ mm/yr), a marked basinward stepping (to east and northeast) of the paleo-Orinoco shelf prism and post-Pliocene uplift of Trinidad all allow the sedimentary facies, process regime and the evolution of the Late Miocene Orinoco Delta to be evaluated from extensive outcrops along the southwest, and south coasts of Trinidad.

Marine and Petroleum Geology

The shape of the response function from year 2 to year 4 had more marked steps than that in year 5.

Annals of Botany

Recognition of a marked negative velocity step at the top of the c. 500-m-thick low-velocity zone has led to its interpretation as a lithostatically overpressured thrust-sense ductile shear zone serving as a mid-crustal d��collement.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “a marked step” to describe a positive change that is easily noticeable. This strengthens the impact of your statement and reinforces the progress made.

Common error

Avoid using "a marked step" when the change is minor or insignificant. Overstating the improvement can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marked step" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It denotes a significant advancement or change, aligning with Ludwig's indication of correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a marked step" is a noun phrase signifying a significant and noticeable improvement or advancement. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. It is most commonly found in news, science, and formal business communications. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the area of progress and avoid exaggerating the significance of the change. Alternatives such as "a significant advance" or "a notable improvement" can be used to provide variety while maintaining the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant advance

Emphasizes the importance of the progress made.

a notable improvement

Highlights the positive change achieved.

a considerable leap

Suggests a large and impactful advancement.

a distinct progression

Focuses on the clear forward movement.

a substantial development

Indicates a significant event or stage in growth.

a decided shift

Highlights a clear change in direction or approach.

a prominent upgrade

Implies a significant enhancement or improvement in quality.

a clear advancement

Focuses on the clarity and obviousness of the progress.

a major stride

Suggests a significant step forward, often in overcoming challenges.

an important move

Emphasizes the significance and strategic value of the action taken.

FAQs

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

You can use "a marked step" to describe a significant advancement or improvement. For example, "The new policy is "a marked step" towards environmental sustainability".

What are some alternatives to saying "a marked step"?

Alternatives include "a significant advance", "a notable improvement", or "a considerable leap", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a marked step forward" redundant?

While "forward" can be implied, including it emphasizes direction and progress. It's not strictly redundant but consider if it adds valuable context or if ""a marked step"" alone suffices.

What's the difference between "a marked step" and "a small step"?

"A marked step" indicates a substantial change or progress, while "a small step" suggests a minor or incremental advancement. The choice depends on the magnitude of the change you're describing.