as a decisive step

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a decisive step" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a particular action or decision is significant and has a strong impact on the outcome of a situation. Example: "The company implemented a new strategy as a decisive step towards improving its market position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Federica Mogherini, EU foreign policy chief, describes the deal as a "decisive step".

The Guardian

The left welcomes it as a decisive step away from fossil fuels.

The Economist

For her part, Ms. Fiorina views the Compaq deal as a decisive step needed to secure Hewlett-Packard's future.

The New York Times

He views the little painting as a decisive step in the evolution of Duccio's style, which reached its apogee about eight years later in the "Maestà" altarpiece.

The New Yorker

Ten years from now, the assassination of Burhanuddin Rabbani, head of Afghanistan's High Peace Council (HPC), may well be seen as a decisive step towards a renewed civil war.

The Guardian

Victims of Mr. Habré's brutal eight-year reign in the 1980s have been fighting for more than two decades to bring him to justice, and Sunday's arrest was hailed as a decisive step by human rights advocates.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Martin O'Neill has told his Republic of Ireland players not to fear the world champions, Germany, as they attempt to take a decisive step towards Euro 2016 qualification.

The Guardian - Sport

Convinced that life as she knows is about to end, Ruthie takes a decisive step.

Los Angeles Times

Binding to Get3 is also a decisive step in the insertion pathway, as in its absence, secretory pathway TA proteins may insert into mitochondrial membranes.

Cell

This is a decisive step beyond what has later become known as rational choice theory.

SEP

As a consequence, also the number of 'new' LTBIs would decrease, a decisive step for eradication of tuberculosis.

Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use stronger verbs or more descriptive nouns along with 'as a decisive step' to highlight specific contexts or desired result

Common error

Avoid using "as a decisive step" for actions that are merely incremental or have limited impact. Ensure the described action truly represents a significant turning point or major advancement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a decisive step" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action is taken. As Ludwig AI confirms, it highlights the significance and impact of a particular action or decision.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a decisive step" is a grammatically sound and generally acceptable expression used to underscore the importance and impact of a particular action. Ludwig AI highlights its presence across diverse fields, from news and media to scientific and formal business contexts. While it's a valuable tool for emphasizing significance, it's best used when the action truly warrants such a description, distinguishing it from incremental changes. Alternatives like "as a critical move" or "as a pivotal action" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings, further enhancing writing precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a critical move

Replaces "decisive step" with "critical move", highlighting the necessity of the action.

as a pivotal action

Substitutes "decisive step" with "pivotal action", emphasizing the turning-point nature of the action.

as a crucial measure

Replaces "decisive step" with "crucial measure", stressing the essential nature of the action.

as an important milestone

Replaces "decisive step" with "important milestone", focusing on the progress made.

as a significant development

Substitutes "decisive step" with "significant development", emphasizing the progress made.

as a game-changing decision

Replaces "decisive step" with "game-changing decision", highlighting the potential for major impact.

as a transformative action

Substitutes "decisive step" with "transformative action", emphasizing the potential for fundamental change.

as a bold initiative

Replaces "decisive step" with "bold initiative", highlighting the courage and ambition of the action.

as a major turning point

Substitutes "decisive step" with "major turning point", emphasizing the significant change in direction.

as an essential undertaking

Replaces "decisive step" with "essential undertaking", highlighting the necessity and importance of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "as a decisive step" in a sentence?

Use "as a decisive step" to indicate that an action or decision is significant and has a strong impact on the outcome of a situation. For example, "The company's investment in new technology was seen as a decisive step toward improving efficiency".

What are some alternatives to "as a decisive step"?

You can use alternatives like "as a critical move", "as a pivotal action", or "as a crucial measure" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "as a decisive step" is appropriate for formal writing. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it appears in formal and business contexts. The most important thing is to guarantee the accuracy and relevance of the expression you are using.

What distinguishes "as a decisive step" from "as a positive step"?

"As a positive step" indicates an action that is generally beneficial, while "as a decisive step" suggests an action that significantly influences the outcome or direction of a situation. The former focuses on the valence of the action; the latter on its magnitude.