an important step forward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an important step forward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has happened that is seen as a positive development. For example, "The signing of the new trade agreement is an important step forward for both countries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But it is an important step forward".

The New York Times

"This would be an important step forward.

The New York Times

It is an important step forward.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is an important step forward.

The Guardian - Business

"This is an important step forward," he said.

The New York Times

"I think it's an important step forward," he said.

The New York Times

This first ATLAS result is an important step forward.

The Guardian

Selling online is an important step forward for our business".

The Guardian - Business

It marked an important step forward for the conservation community.

The Guardian

The Johannesburg global symposium was an important step forward.

The Guardian

"I think this is an important step forward.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an important step forward" to positively frame developments in reports, proposals, or analyses to highlight progress being made.

Common error

Avoid using "an important step forward" multiple times within a single paragraph. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "significant advance" or "key development" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an important step forward" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subjective complement or appositive. It describes a specific action or event as being progressive and valuable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable to describe a positive development. Examples include: "This is an important step forward for harm reduction."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an important step forward" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression to describe progress or positive developments. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is prevalent in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts. When writing, it's best practice to use it to positively frame developments while avoiding overuse by varying your language with synonyms. While generally neutral to professional, the specific context can also make it formal or informal. This analysis synthesizes data from numerous sources, confirming its status as a valuable and versatile phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an important step ahead

Emphasizes the direction of progress more explicitly.

an important move forward

Highlights the action taken to achieve progress.

an important leap forward

Suggests a more significant or rapid advancement.

an important stride forward

Implies a confident and purposeful advancement.

an interesting step forward

Highlights the intriguing or noteworthy nature of the advancement.

an essential step forward

Focuses on the necessity of the advancement for further progress.

an important advance

A more concise way to express a significant positive development.

a vital step forward

Emphasizes the critical importance of the advancement.

a big step forward

Uses simpler language to convey the significance of the progress.

a major step forward

Highlights the substantial impact of the advancement.

FAQs

How can I use "an important step forward" in a sentence?

Use "an important step forward" to describe progress or a positive development. For example, "The new policy is "an important step forward" in addressing climate change."

What are some alternatives to saying "an important step forward"?

You can use phrases like "significant advance", "key development", or "major breakthrough" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "an important step forward" or "an important step ahead"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""an important step forward"" is more common. "an important step ahead" emphasizes the direction of progress more explicitly.

What makes something "an important step forward"?

It signifies that a significant positive action or development has occurred, contributing to overall progress toward a goal or objective.