a small step

USAGE SUMMARY

“a small step” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any kind of progress that is made incrementally. For example, “With her first successful business venture, she took a small step towards achieving her dream of becoming an entrepreneur.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"This is a small step," Collins said.

The New York Times - Sports

Q. Let's take a small step first.

The New York Times

This is a small step towards those.

The Guardian - Business

It is a small step maybe".

The Guardian - Sport

So I took a small step.

The Washington Post

He said his bill was "a small step".

The New York Times

So this is a small step towards reversing that trend.

The Guardian - Opinion

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: A small step up to the dining room.

The New York Times - Food

Signing Duhon was a small step, but a high priority.

The New York Times - Sports

That's a small step in the right direction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A light gasp, a small step back.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small step" to acknowledge progress, even when the overall goal remains distant. This can help maintain momentum and morale.

Common error

Avoid using "a small step" when the situation requires a more significant or immediate action. Ensure the scale of the action matches the phrase's connotation of limited progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small step" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It refers to a minor action or advancement that contributes to a larger goal. Ludwig AI provides examples of this phrase being used to describe progress in various contexts, from business to personal development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small step" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe incremental progress across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability and offers numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and Forbes. While its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for most situations, it's important to avoid overstating the significance of the "small step" in contexts requiring substantial change. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "a minor advancement", "a slight improvement", or "an incremental change" to best reflect the intended meaning. Remember, even seemingly insignificant actions can contribute to achieving larger goals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor advancement

This alternative replaces 'step' with 'advancement', emphasizing the progress made, while 'minor' maintains the scale.

a slight improvement

This phrase uses 'improvement' instead of 'step', focusing on the positive change, with 'slight' denoting its small magnitude.

a modest move

Here, 'move' substitutes 'step', suggesting an action or change in direction, while 'modest' indicates its limited impact.

an incremental change

This alternative highlights the gradual nature of the change, using 'incremental' to emphasize the step-by-step progression.

a baby step

This phrase replaces 'small' with 'baby', creating a more informal and emphatic version of a small increment.

a tiny adjustment

This alternative uses 'adjustment' instead of 'step' and tiny to describe it, highlighting the act of fine-tuning or making minor corrections.

a limited advance

This phrase replaces 'step' with 'advance', focusing on forward movement, while 'limited' specifies the extent of the progress.

a gentle push

This alternative uses 'push' instead of 'step', suggesting a nudge or encouragement, while 'gentle' indicates its mild force.

a delicate shift

Here, 'shift' substitutes 'step', implying a change in position or perspective, while 'delicate' denotes its subtle nature.

a narrow margin

This alternative replaces 'step' with 'margin', focusing on difference between values, while 'narrow' describes it.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small step" to describe incremental progress, for example: "Adopting the new policy is "a small step" toward improving our company's sustainability."

What are some alternatives to "a small step"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a minor advancement", "a slight improvement", or "an incremental change" instead of "a small step".

Is it appropriate to use "a small step" in formal writing?

Yes, "a small step" is appropriate in formal writing, particularly when acknowledging incremental progress. However, consider using more formal alternatives like "a modest move" or "a limited advance" in highly formal contexts.

When should I avoid using the phrase "a small step"?

Avoid using "a small step" when describing actions that have a significant impact or when immediate and substantial change is required. In such cases, phrases that convey greater magnitude would be more suitable.