an incremental step forward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an incremental step forward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small but significant improvement or progress in a particular area or situation. Example: "The new policy represents an incremental step forward in our efforts to promote sustainability within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"It is an incremental step forward.

The New York Times - Tech

American officials called the new government an incremental step forward in the return to democracy.

The New York Times

"This is an incremental step forward for Nokia to help them compete with Google," Mr. Mawston said.

The New York Times

"This is an incremental step forward for Nokia to help them compete with Google," said Neil Mawston, an analyst in London with Strategy Analytics.

The New York Times - Tech

In fact, while the technology has been promoted as a totally next-generation interface, it's really only an incremental step forward — where it isn't a step back.

TechCrunch

Senator-turned-entertainment-lobbyist, Chris Dodd, thinks the standards don't go far enough, saying it's "an incremental step forward that addresses only a narrow subset of the problem and places a disproportionate amount of the burden on rights holders is not sufficient".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Name change aside, this whole thing seems like a largely incremental step forward for MasterCard.

TechCrunch

Every revival has its incremental steps forward.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're taking incremental steps forward, as other states have," he said.

The New York Times

Alderson said the team did not want to disrupt what appeared to be some incremental steps forward.

The New York Times

While the scientists around him take incremental steps forward, Chan still has his sights on the big prize: the quick, cheap genome.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider context when choosing alternatives. If the emphasis is on the difficulty or challenge, “"a step in the right direction"” might be better; if it's simply about acknowledging progress, "a gradual advancement” might fit better.

Common error

Avoid using "an incremental step forward" when describing changes that are actually substantial or transformative. Overusing the phrase in such contexts can diminish the impact of the progress made. Be sure to match your language to the scale of the achievement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an incremental step forward" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes the nature of an action or policy, characterizing it as a small but positive advancement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an incremental step forward" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It describes small but positive progress, often used in neutral to professional contexts such as news, business, and science. While not a very common phrase, its usage is consistent. When using this phrase, remember that it suggests gradual improvement rather than a significant breakthrough. Be aware of potential overstatement and match language to the achievement scale. Consider alternatives like "a gradual advancement" or "a slight improvement" for nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a gradual advancement

Replaces "incremental step" with a synonym that emphasizes the slow and progressive nature of the improvement.

a modest advance

Substitutes "incremental step" with a phrase highlighting the limited, yet positive, nature of the progress.

a slight improvement

Replaces the entire expression with a more concise term, focusing on the positive change made.

a minor progression

Highlights the small amount of movement forward, using slightly more formal vocabulary.

a step in the right direction

Indicates that the action is positive and aligned with an ultimate goal but does not necessarily mean substantial immediate progress.

a move forward

Simplifies the phrase, emphasizing the directional movement without specifying the amount.

positive development

Focuses on the favorable change, omitting the 'step' metaphor.

a forward stride

Uses a more emphatic word than 'step', suggesting a bit more progress but not a huge leap.

small progress

Directly describes the progress as limited in scale.

a positive shift

Emphasizes a change in position or attitude that's beneficial.

FAQs

What does it mean to describe something as "an incremental step forward"?

Describing something as "an incremental step forward" means it represents a small but positive advancement. It suggests progress is being made, but the change is not drastic or revolutionary.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "an incremental step forward"?

Use "an incremental step forward" when you want to acknowledge that progress has been made, but the change is modest and further improvements are still needed. It is appropriate in situations where expectations need to be tempered or where emphasizing the ongoing nature of the process is important.

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

You can use alternatives like "a gradual advancement", "a modest advance", or "a slight improvement" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a negative connotation to using the term "an incremental step forward"?

While generally neutral, using "an incremental step forward" could be seen as downplaying more substantial progress. In some cases, it might imply that change is happening too slowly. Consider your audience and the context to ensure the term aligns with the message you wish to convey.