good step ahead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "good step ahead" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used to suggest progress or improvement, but it is more common to say "a good step forward." Example: "Implementing this new strategy is a good step ahead in our efforts to increase productivity."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The tight end was a good step ahead of his defender as he ran a quick out on third-and-goal at the seven, but simply failed to make a routine catch.

The Guardian - Sport

On Tuesday, the U.S. Labor Department reported its producer price index, which follows wholesale prices, fell 0.9% in July, a good step ahead of the Street's consensus forecast of negative 0.3%, and an inversion of the 1.8% gain in June.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Impressed by the crowds standing before an El Greco and talking heatedly, "as they might talk about some contemporary picture," he described him as "an old master who is not merely modern, but actually appears a good many steps ahead of us, turning back to show us the way".

The New York Times - Arts

Fry described El Greco as "an old master who is not merely modern, but actually appears a good many steps ahead of us, turning back to show us the way".

Wikipedia

She seems forever just one step ahead.

Independent

It requires us to think about what it means to leave your home, and why God chose Abraham for the task -– the reflections by the students will inspire their nail designs".. Like every good teacher, she stays one step ahead of her students.

Huffington Post

A good con man is always one step ahead of the game, which is why he gets the last laugh; here, the con men in charge of "Sly Fox" are a few steps behind, which is why they don't.

The New Yorker

Good business leaders should be half a step ahead of what customers want, ie they don't actually quite know they want it.

The Guardian

He had good defensive position, but I just utilized my quickness to get one step ahead and got the shot off quick".

The New York Times - Sports

Good impulse: But how do civil servants keep a step ahead of financial engineers being paid a fortune to create the next generation of credit time bombs?

Huffington Post

The book we read is one step ahead of us, clearing the path for good decision making in the face of extreme uncertainty.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "positive step forward" or "significant progress" for greater clarity and wider acceptance.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "good step ahead" in formal writing; it can sound repetitive and less impactful than more conventional synonyms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good step ahead" functions primarily as a descriptor of progress or improvement. It highlights a positive movement from one state to another. Ludwig identifies that this phrase is acceptable, although it may sound unusual to some people.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "good step ahead" is a valid but uncommon way to describe progress or improvement. Ludwig's analysis indicates that while grammatically acceptable, it might be perceived as slightly awkward or unconventional compared to more common alternatives like "positive step forward" or "significant progress". It appears predominantly in news and media contexts. Therefore, while understandable, writers should consider the audience and context when choosing to use "good step ahead", opting for more widely accepted phrases for enhanced clarity and impact. Ludwig's AI suggests that this phrase is not standard in written English and might sound odd.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

positive step forward

Emphasizes the beneficial nature of the advancement.

promising development

Highlights the potential and positive outlook of the progress.

notable advancement

Focuses on the significance and recognizability of the progress.

significant stride

Implies a considerable and impactful improvement.

substantial progress

Indicates a considerable amount of advancement has been made.

welcome improvement

Highlights the positive reception of the advancement.

encouraging sign

Suggests that the progress is a positive indicator for future success.

commendable effort

Acknowledges the praiseworthy nature of the actions taken to achieve progress.

valuable contribution

Focuses on the beneficial impact the progress has had.

meaningful leap

Emphasizes the importance of the advancement.

FAQs

What does "good step ahead" mean?

The phrase "good step ahead" generally suggests that something is a positive move or improvement. It's similar to saying something is a "good step forward".

Is it correct to say "good step ahead"?

While not incorrect, "good step ahead" is less common than alternatives like "positive step" or "good progress". It may sound slightly awkward to some readers.

What can I say instead of "good step ahead"?

You can use alternatives like "positive development", "significant advance", or "welcome improvement" depending on the context.

How can I use "good step ahead" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe progress made, for example: "Implementing the new policy is a "good step ahead" in addressing the company's environmental impact".