be stepped up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be stepped up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an increase in intensity, effort, or action in a particular context. Example: "In order to meet the upcoming deadlines, our productivity must be stepped up significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Police patrols may be stepped up too.

The Guardian

Security will be stepped up ahead of the game following the incident.

Independent

In order to avoid it, the sanctions must be stepped up".

The New York Times - Magazine

Counterterrorism intelligence will also be stepped up, the Interior Ministry said.

The New York Times

Disinvestment (India-speak for sales of state assets) will be stepped up, he said.

The Economist

"Police and army staffing must be stepped up," she told the news TV channel BFM.

The Guardian

Surveillance of other sects will also be stepped up, Commander Okwalinga said.

The New York Times

"Police and army staffing must be stepped up," she told news channel BFMTV.

The Guardian

School feeding programs or government assistance might be stepped up to prevent a region from slipping back into poverty.

The New York Times

The Pentagon proposes that the fee be stepped up every year until it reaches $2,048 in 2017.

The New York Times

The Foreign Secretary said co-operation with the Tunisian officials would be stepped up to protect Western tourists.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "be stepped up" when you want to emphasize a proactive increase in effort, resources, or actions to achieve a specific goal.

Common error

Avoid using "be stepped up" without specifying what is being increased. For instance, saying "efforts will be stepped up" is less effective than stating "security measures will be stepped up at all entrances".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be stepped up" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that an action (stepping up) is being performed on a subject. It's commonly used to describe the intensification or enhancement of efforts, measures, or processes. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be stepped up" is a versatile passive verb construction used to indicate an increase in the intensity, frequency, or scale of a particular action or process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across a range of contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, but also appears in scientific and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity, it's important to specify what exactly is being intensified when using this phrase. Alternatives like ""be increased"" or ""be enhanced"" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be increased

Focuses on a general increase in level or intensity, lacking the nuanced sense of proactive improvement inherent in the original phrase.

be intensified

Emphasizes the enhancement of strength or degree, differing from the original by highlighting escalation rather than systematic advancement.

be augmented

Suggests supplementing or adding to something to improve it, shifting the focus from boosting existing efforts to expanding resources.

be heightened

Implies an increase in quality or awareness, diverging from the original's emphasis on raising the level of activity or attention.

be amplified

Conveys the act of making something louder or more pronounced, altering the original's sense of enhancing systematic efforts.

be boosted

Highlights the act of giving a lift or increase, changing the context from a gradual enhancement to an immediate improvement.

be enhanced

Focuses on improving the quality or value, differing from the original by emphasizing refinement rather than intensification.

be reinforced

Highlights the act of strengthening or supporting something, differing from the original by emphasizing the act of making more robust.

be escalated

Suggests raising the level or intensity, often in a situation of conflict or urgency, which contrasts with the original's sense of systematic progression.

be accelerated

Focuses on speeding up the pace, differing from the original's more general implication of enhancement or advancement.

FAQs

How can I use "be stepped up" in a sentence?

You can use "be stepped up" to indicate an increase in the intensity, frequency, or scale of an activity or process. For example, "Security measures will be stepped up during the event" or "Efforts to improve customer service need to be stepped up.

What are some alternatives to "be stepped up"?

Alternatives to "be stepped up" include "be increased", "be intensified", or "be enhanced", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "be increased" or "be stepped up"?

Both "be increased" and "be stepped up" indicate a rise in something, but "be stepped up" often implies a more proactive or strategic increase. Choose the phrase that best fits the context and the intended emphasis.

In what situations is "be stepped up" most appropriate?

"Be stepped up" is particularly appropriate when discussing improvements in security, efforts, or measures that require a deliberate and often organized increase in activity or resources. It suggests more than just an increase; it implies an advancement or upgrade.