detail the steps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "detail the steps" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to provide a clear and thorough explanation of a process or procedure. Example: "Please detail the steps involved in the project so that everyone understands their responsibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Approvable letters detail the steps a company must take to win final approval from the F.D.A.

The New York Times

The records should also detail the steps taken for ethical approval and oversight of the research.

Nature

Be sure to describe, in detail, the steps needed to reproduce the bug.

University of California, Berkeley

The CIAO thread pages discuss in greater detail the steps necessary to calculate the ARF and RMF for a source.

Harvard University

Though at times heavily redacted, they detail the steps the NSA takes to ensure its activities comply with the law.

The Economist

We detail the steps of our mapping approach and explain the key techniques that make it work.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

The charter detailed the steps that each bishop should take to prevent child abuse.

The New York Times

McKinsey Global Institute put out a 290-page book in May detailing the steps necessary.

The New York Times

(A) Flowchart detailing the steps involved in calculating dimer score of a primer pair.

Nature

It details the steps for examining moisture flow at the start of the monsoon season in India.

Columbia University

A hospital statement detailed the steps taken by the hospital since the admission of Duncan, on 28 September, on his second visit.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "detail the steps", ensure you provide enough context so the audience understands why these steps are important and how they contribute to the overall goal.

Common error

Avoid using "detail the steps" as a placeholder for actually providing comprehensive information. Ensure you are not just listing the steps but also explaining the reasoning behind each step and potential challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "detail the steps" functions primarily as a request or instruction to provide a thorough and comprehensive explanation of a process or procedure. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "detail the steps" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to solicit a thorough explanation of a process. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic spheres, it serves to ensure clarity and understanding. While alternatives like "outline the procedure" or "describe the process in depth" exist, "detail the steps" strikes a balance between formality and comprehensiveness. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide adequate context and avoid oversimplification, ensuring the reasoning behind each step is clearly elucidated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spell out the process

Emphasizes making the process clear and easily understandable, leaving no room for ambiguity.

describe the process in depth

Emphasizes the depth of the description, implying a more thorough explanation than a simple detailing.

present a step-by-step account

Highlights the sequential and detailed nature of the explanation.

outline the procedure

Focuses on giving a structured overview of the procedure, whereas "detail the steps" is more about the minutiae.

walk through the sequence

Suggests a step-by-step guide through a series of events.

explain the methodology

Specifically refers to the explanation of a method, which is a more technical context.

lay out the plan

Focuses on presenting a structured plan with specific steps.

break down the actions

Focuses on simplifying complex actions into smaller, more manageable parts.

enumerate the stages

Highlights the sequential aspect of the process, listing each stage.

clarify the mechanism

Implies making the underlying workings of something clearer, often used in scientific contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "detail the steps" in a sentence?

You can use "detail the steps" to request a thorough explanation of a process, as in, "Please "detail the steps" required to complete the project."

What's a more formal alternative to "detail the steps"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "outline the procedure" or "describe the process in depth".

Is it correct to say "details the steps" instead of "detail the steps"?

Yes, "details the steps" is grammatically correct, but it's used when the subject is singular (e.g., "The document "details the steps""). "Detail the steps" is used as an imperative or when the subject is plural.

When should I use "break down the actions" instead of "detail the steps"?

Use "break down the actions" when you want to simplify a complex set of actions into more manageable parts, whereas ""detail the steps"" is more about providing a comprehensive explanation of the existing steps.