as an incremental step

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as an incremental step" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small, gradual change or progress towards a larger goal or objective. Example: "We will implement the new software features as an incremental step towards improving user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Still others said they regarded the development as an incremental step toward the demise of the island's Communist regime, something significant but not meriting a full-blown celebration.

The New York Times

The drone missions were also seen as an incremental step in building trust between two militaries long suspicious of each other's motives.

The New York Times

"It may be seen by the market as an incremental step in a possible longer-term escalation of problems in the core oil producing nations of Saudi Arabia and Iran," he told Bloomberg News.

The Guardian - Business

Although Tuesday's Fed statement was seen as "an incremental step" by many analysts, others have read deeply into the statement, which was issued over the objections of some committee members.

The New York Times

HPE is just getting started in this market, so it was careful to position this announcement as an incremental step in addressing its customers' cloud management needs as opposed to an attempt to immediately position as a cloud MSP market leader via a specific acquisition or new technology launch.

Forbes

Democrats supported the bill as an incremental step toward restoring order in California's dysfunctional energy market.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The policy announced Tuesday is an incremental step that economists described as unlikely to drive significant growth.

The New York Times

In order to determine the VO2max values, each subject performed a treadmill test with an incremental step protocol until exhaustion as described previously [ 47].

BMC Physiology

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

"It is an incremental step forward.

The New York Times - Tech

The IHMS material is an incremental step in that direction.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as an incremental step" when you want to convey that a particular action or decision is part of a larger, ongoing process, rather than a complete solution in itself. It is often used to manage expectations or to show a commitment to gradual improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "as an incremental step" to describe actions that are, in reality, major turning points or comprehensive solutions. Doing so can downplay the true impact and create a disconnect between the description and the reality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as an incremental step" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action is taken. Ludwig confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as an incremental step" is a useful way to describe an action that is part of a larger process. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and serves to contextualize an action as one of many needed to achieve a broader objective. While it appears most frequently in news and media, it is also used in scientific and formal contexts. When using this phrase, make sure to not overstate the significance of the step. Alternatives include "as a gradual measure" or "as a progressive move". Overall, "as an incremental step" is a versatile phrase for communicating progress and managing expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a gradual measure

Focuses on the slowness and gentleness of the action.

as a progressive move

Emphasizes the forward-moving nature of the action.

as a small advance

Highlights the limited scope of the action.

as one step at a time

Stresses the step-by-step nature of the process.

as a stepping stone

Implies that the action is a foundation for future progress.

as a preliminary action

Highlights the action as something that needs to be done before others

as a phased approach

Focuses on a method done with phases or gradual implementation

as a limited adjustment

Emphasizes the action's scope as restrictive and not so vast

as an initial attempt

Stresses that the action is more of a trial than a definitive resolution

as a measured response

Indicates a calculated and controlled reaction to a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "as an incremental step" in a sentence?

The phrase "as an incremental step" is used to describe an action taken to approach a larger goal. For example, "We view this policy change as an incremental step towards comprehensive healthcare reform."

What are some alternatives to "as an incremental step"?

You can use alternatives like "as a gradual measure", "as a progressive move", or "as a small advance" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'an incremental step' or 'a incremental step'?

It is correct to say "an incremental step". The word 'incremental' begins with a vowel sound, thus requiring the indefinite article 'an'.

What is the difference between "as an incremental step" and "as a final solution"?

"As an incremental step" implies that more actions will follow, while "as a final solution" suggests that the problem has been completely resolved. The former represents partial progress, whereas the latter indicates completion.