has stepped up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has stepped up' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an increase in activity or effort level. For example: "The organization has stepped up their campaign to encourage more people to donate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He has stepped up".

The New York Times

Luis has stepped up his game.

The New York Times - Sports

"Everyone has stepped up now".

The New York Times

Madrid has stepped up its security.

The New York Times - Travel

He has stepped up to the plate.

The Guardian

"Chad has stepped up in multiple situations.

The New York Times - Sports

It has stepped up its monitoring and prosecutions for fraud.

The New York Times

Instead of quieting down, it has stepped up its protests.

The Economist

The arrival of the Internet has stepped up the pace.

The Economist

"The whole year, yes, it has stepped up," he said.

The Washington Post

In recent years, MIT has stepped up its recycling efforts.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has stepped up" to clearly indicate a deliberate increase in effort or activity, especially when contrasting it with a previous state.

Common error

Avoid using "has stepped up" when a simpler word like "increased" would suffice. "Has stepped up" implies a more proactive and intentional increase in effort or action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has stepped up" functions as a phrasal verb indicating an increase in effort, intensity, or activity. Examples from Ludwig show its use across various contexts to denote a deliberate escalation or reinforcement of actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "has stepped up" is a common and grammatically sound way to express an increase in effort, activity, or intensity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and widely usable. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also appears in Science and Formal & Business contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider "has intensified" or "has increased". When employing this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a proactive and intentional increase in effort. It is important to distinguish the context from simple increases or improvements to maintain precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has intensified

Emphasizes increased intensity or strength of an action or effort.

has increased

Focuses on a measurable growth or enlargement in quantity or degree.

has amplified

Suggests an increase in volume or intensity, often used in a metaphorical sense.

has heightened

Indicates an elevation or intensification of a particular state or activity.

has escalated

Implies a rapid increase in intensity or severity, often in conflict or competition.

has reinforced

Highlights the strengthening or bolstering of an existing effort or activity.

has bolstered

Signifies support or strengthening, often providing additional resources or encouragement.

has enhanced

Indicates an improvement in quality, value, or attractiveness.

has augmented

Suggests an addition or expansion to an existing entity or effort.

has expanded

Highlights growth in size, scope, or extent.

FAQs

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

You can use "has stepped up" to indicate an increase in effort or activity. For example: "The company "has stepped up" its marketing efforts."

What are some alternatives to "has stepped up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "has intensified", "has increased", or "has amplified".

Is it correct to say "stepped up on" instead of "has stepped up"?

No, "stepped up on" has a different meaning, usually related to physically stepping onto something. "Has stepped up" indicates an increase in effort or activity.

What is the difference between "has stepped up" and "has improved"?

"Has stepped up" implies an increase in effort or activity, while "has improved" suggests a betterment in quality or performance. While increased effort may lead to improvement, they are not interchangeable.