a valuable step

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a valuable step" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an action or decision that is considered beneficial or important in a process or progression. Example: "Implementing this new policy is a valuable step towards improving employee satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

This a valuable step, but PCORI has not yet had a major impact on clinical practice.

The Washington Post

The ability to measure guidance marks a valuable step for prescribing design process improvement.

Design Studies

Stimulated anaerobic dechlorination is generally considered a valuable step for the remediation of aquifers polluted with chlorinated ethenes (CEs).

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

We believe that these results constitute a valuable step toward a wider adoption of cloud infrastructures for computational science applications.

Journal of Computational Science

Hopefully, this new suffix tree characterisation makes up a valuable step towards a better understanding of suffix tree combinatorics.

Journal of Discrete Algorithms

This intra-site coherency provides a valuable step towards understanding multi-decadal hydroclimate variability in southeastern Australia.

Quaternary Science Reviews

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

All of these activities will show your child that you value his or her written communications--a valuable step along the road to learning to write.

Huffington Post

The first multi-party contest since 1986 was "a valuable stepping-stone" towards true democracy.Western diplomats privately admit their top priority was not the cleanliness of the election nor the revival of political freedoms but next January's referendum, when the southerners, under the 2005 peace deal, are to vote on independence.

The Economist

That grueling, soul-sucking first job suddenly looks like a valuable stepping-stone to bigger and better things.

HuffPost

I think this is a really valuable step, and you'll probably learn something from it.

TechCrunch

This study presents a real and valuable step in examining nursing studies in Russia, and furthermore, in a city where HIV-infection is highly concentrated.

BMC Nursing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a valuable step" to highlight progress or forward movement in a process or plan. It conveys the importance of the action without overstating its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a valuable step" when the action is minor or insignificant. Overusing it can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a valuable step" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It typically attributes a quality of benefit or importance to an action, decision, or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a valuable step" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe an action or decision that is considered beneficial and contributes positively to progress. As Ludwig AI's analysis shows, it enjoys wide applicability across different contexts such as science, news, and business. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to use the phrase judiciously, ensuring the described step genuinely merits the 'valuable' label. Understanding the contexts and avoiding overuse will maximize the phrase's impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant advance

Emphasizes the importance of progress made.

a crucial move

Highlights the critical nature of the action taken.

a worthwhile measure

Focuses on the value and benefit derived from the action.

a positive development

Indicates a favorable change or event.

an important initiative

Stresses the proactive and significant nature of the action.

a strategic decision

Highlights the planned and purposeful nature of the action.

a constructive action

Emphasizes the positive and helpful impact of the action.

a beneficial change

Focuses on the advantageous aspect of the alteration.

a useful strategy

Highlights the practicality and effectiveness of the approach.

a promising start

Indicates a positive beginning with potential for future success.

FAQs

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

You can use "a valuable step" to describe an action or decision that contributes positively to a larger goal. For example, "Adopting these guidelines is "a valuable step" towards improving workplace safety".

What can I say instead of "a valuable step"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant advance", "a crucial move", or "a worthwhile measure" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a valuable steps" instead of "a valuable step"?

No, "a valuable steps" is grammatically incorrect. "Step" should be singular when preceded by the indefinite article "a".

What's the difference between "a valuable step" and "a stepping stone"?

"A valuable step" refers to a specific action or decision that provides immediate benefit, whereas "a stepping stone" implies something that helps you progress to a future goal or achievement.