essential step

USAGE SUMMARY

"essential step" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a necessary or required step in a process. For example, "Planning is an essential step in setting up a successful business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is the first essential step.

The Guardian

Why are they refusing this essential step to their investigation?

The Guardian - Opinion

Let cool (an essential step) and cut into bars.

The New York Times

The Lisbon Treaty is an essential step toward smarter integration.

The New York Times

Why are they refusing this essential step in their investigation?

The Guardian - Opinion

Touring is an essential step in the development of any emerging young company.

The Guardian

Experts say this is an essential step in building a murder defense.

The New York Times

Under Swedish law, an interview with the suspect is an essential step before issuing charges.

The Guardian

For me this is an essential step in making any good sauce".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Recycling isn't the solution to the problem, but it is an essential step.

The Guardian

But another essential step to prevent hospital infections is rigorous cleaning of equipment and rooms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "essential step", ensure the context clearly indicates the process or goal to which the step is essential. For instance, specify: "Peer review is an "essential step" in ensuring research validity."

Common error

Avoid overuse of "essential step" for routine tasks. Reserving it for truly critical actions maintains its impact and prevents it from becoming a cliché.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essential step" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "essential" modifies the noun "step". Ludwig shows that it describes a stage or action that is fundamentally necessary for achieving a particular outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "essential step" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a necessary action or stage in a process. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It's prevalent across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business writing. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "critical phase" or "indispensable measure", the key is to ensure the context clearly defines the process where the step is essential. Overuse can diminish its impact, so reserving it for truly critical actions is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indispensable measure

Emphasizes the necessity of the action, framing it as a deliberate action.

key element

Highlights the step's importance as part of a larger whole.

primary necessity

Highlights the urgency and indispensability of the step.

critical phase

Focuses on a specific stage rather than just a general action.

vital move

Implies a strategic and decisive action.

necessary procedure

Emphasizes the formal and structured nature of the step.

required action

Highlights the obligatory aspect of the step.

fundamental component

Shifts focus to the step's role as a building block.

basic requirement

Focuses on the foundational aspect of the step, indicating it's a prerequisite.

cornerstone action

Implies that the step is a fundamental support for everything else.

FAQs

How can I use "essential step" in a sentence?

You can use "essential step" to describe a stage or action that is necessary for achieving a specific outcome. For instance: "Careful planning is an "essential step" for a successful project."

What are some alternatives to saying "essential step"?

You can use alternatives like "critical phase", "indispensable measure", or "key element" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "absolutely essential step"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "absolutely essential step" can be redundant because "essential" already implies necessity. Consider using just "essential step" or a stronger alternative like "indispensable measure" if you want to emphasize importance.

What makes a step "essential"?

A step is considered "essential" if the desired outcome cannot be achieved without it. It is a fundamental and necessary part of the process, without which the entire endeavor would be compromised.