a monumental step

USAGE SUMMARY

"a monumental step" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a large, significant action or progress that has been taken. For example: "The new treaty is a monumental step towards world peace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

It would have been a monumental step.

The New York Times

But Mr. Milosevic's transfer was a monumental step.

The New York Times

Mr. Spitzer called today's announcement "a monumental step forward".

The New York Times

US secretary of state John Kerry hailed the deal as "a monumental step forward".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The panel's vote "has moved us a monumental step forward," said Dr. Reisa Sperling, adding that with the scans "we will not just be guessing clinically".

The New York Times - Health

In an interview, Univision Networks' president, César Conde, called the creation of Univision Studios a "monumental step forward" for Spanish language television in the United States.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

More broadly, the bill is a potentially monumental step in the war on warming -- cars and light trucks account for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions nationwide and 40percentt in California.

The New York Times

However, on that first day, he took a simple but monumental step: He summoned the courage to ask his teacher to take a walk with him.

Huffington Post

Lambert is not the marquee signing with the extravagant price-tag many would anticipate from a club aiming to make the small but monumental step from second to first in the Premier League.

The Guardian - Sport

Make sure you have carefully reconsidered all your options before taking this monumental step in your life.

WikiHow

In Georgia, we have taken monumental steps in recent years to give nonviolent offenders a new beginning.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a monumental step" when you want to emphasize the importance and scale of a particular advancement or achievement. It is particularly effective when discussing breakthroughs in science, significant policy changes, or substantial progress in a long-term effort.

Common error

Avoid using "a monumental step" for trivial or incremental changes. This phrase is best reserved for actions with truly significant and far-reaching consequences. Using it inappropriately can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a monumental step" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples show it describing significant actions or progress.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Science & Research

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a monumental step" is a phrase used to describe a significant action or advancement, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically sound and frequently appears in news, media, and scientific contexts, conveying the importance and scale of progress. While it's suitable for formal writing, be mindful of overusing it for minor achievements. Consider alternatives like "a significant leap" or "a landmark advancement" for variation. The phrase enjoys considerable usage across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, establishing its credibility and wide acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant leap

Emphasizes the magnitude of progress achieved.

a landmark advancement

Highlights the historical importance of the progress.

a game-changing development

Focuses on the transformative nature of the event.

a breakthrough achievement

Highlights overcoming a significant obstacle.

a revolutionary move

Stresses the radical departure from previous practices.

a giant stride

Conveys the long-reaching impact of the progress.

a crucial turning point

Focuses on the decisive nature of the moment.

a vital progression

Emphasizes the essential nature of the advancement.

an epoch-making event

Highlights the historical significance of the event.

a pivotal moment

Emphasizes the importance of the moment for future developments.

FAQs

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

You can use "a monumental step" to describe significant progress or advancements. For example, "The new legislation represents "a monumental step" toward environmental conservation."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "a significant leap", "a landmark advancement", or "a game-changing development", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a monumental step" in informal writing?

While "a monumental step" is generally appropriate for most contexts, it might sound slightly formal for very casual writing. Consider using a more relaxed phrase like "a big deal" or "huge progress" in informal settings.

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

"A monumental step" refers to a very significant advancement, while "a small step" refers to a minor or incremental improvement. They are antonyms, representing opposite ends of the spectrum of progress.