in a second step

USAGE SUMMARY

'in a second step' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is generally used to refer to a logical sequence of actions to be taken. For example, "In a second step, we'll divide the cake into evenly sized pieces and serve."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a second step natural debris flow material was investigated.

Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Part B: Hydrology, Oceans and Atmosphere

Phenylhydroxylamine is reduced to aniline in a second step.

Carbon

In a second step the whole IIR unit is modeled.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

The substrate is then 'primed' in a second step, readying it to take part in reactions.

Nature

In a second step, the underlying motives for deploying international staff between MNC units are discussed.

Harvard Business Review

In a second step, the outside options are determined endogenously.

Health Economics Review

In a second step, we separate these effects.

IZA Journal of Development and Migration

In a second step, equivalent references are clustered and merged.

Journal of Cheminformatics

In a second step, lawmakers elected seven members to a reshaped judicial authority on Wednesday.

Huffington Post

In a second step, they were equalized in spectral energy.

Plosone

In a second step of analysis, an ORM was computed.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a second step" to clearly delineate a sequence of actions, especially in instructions, procedures, or explanations. This helps to avoid ambiguity and ensures that the reader understands the order of operations.

Common error

Avoid overusing sequential markers like "in a second step", "thirdly", and so on, as it can make your writing sound repetitive and stilted. Instead, vary your language by using transitional phrases that subtly indicate the sequence without being overly explicit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a second step" functions as a sequence marker, indicating the progression from one action or stage to another. Ludwig confirms the common usage of this phrase across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

16%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a second step" serves as a sequential marker, indicating the second action in a series. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and very common, particularly within science, news and media, and formal business contexts. To enhance your writing, use "in a second step" to clearly delineate sequential actions, but avoid overuse by varying your language with alternatives like "subsequently" or "following this". Keep in mind that while technically correct, it may be redundant if you are numbering the steps manually.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following this

This alternative provides a slightly less formal and more direct way to introduce the next action or event.

secondly

This alternative is used to enumerate points or steps, providing a clear ordinal sequence.

subsequently

This alternative is a single adverb, offering a more concise and formal way to indicate the next event in a sequence.

as a follow up

This alternative is suitable when describing actions that directly result from a previous action.

thereafter

This alternative, like "subsequently", is a single-word adverb that is relatively formal and indicates what happens after a specific point in time.

afterward

This is a straightforward adverb indicating a subsequent time or event.

in the next phase

This alternative emphasizes the progression to another stage or phase, suitable when describing a project or process with defined phases.

next

This is a very concise and common way to indicate the subsequent action; it may be perceived as less formal.

on the heels of that

This alternative means immediately after, very close in time or sequence to the previous event.

then

This is a simple and versatile word to indicate the next step or event in a sequence.

FAQs

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

You can use "in a second step" to introduce the next action or stage in a process. For example, "First, gather all the necessary materials. "In a second step", begin the assembly process."

What are some alternatives to "in a second step"?

Alternatives include "subsequently", "thereafter", "following this", or "secondly". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "in a second step" formal or informal?

"In a second step" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is suitable for academic writing, technical instructions, and professional communication.

Is it redundant to use "in a second step" after already numbering steps?

While not strictly incorrect, using "in a second step" after explicitly numbering steps (e.g., "Step 2:") can be seen as redundant. Choose one method or the other for clarity.