in steps of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in steps of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a sequence or progression that occurs in specific increments or intervals. Example: "The numbers will increase in steps of five, starting from zero."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

% in steps of 3%.

Procedia Materials Science

Notice we're going in steps of two here, right?

Yale University

to +0.2 msec. in steps of 0.1 msec.

Stanford University

We generated a series of Vrest patterns by shifting them in steps of 1 ms.

Nature

The specific quantile (in steps of 5%) can then be selected.

Columbia University

value1::value3 Generate intervals from value1 to max data) in steps of value3.

Harvard University

For example, "channel=1 1024:1" bins from channel 1 to 1024 in steps of 1.

Harvard University

The weight percentage of ZnSe (x) was varied from 0 to 1 in steps of 0.2.

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

Laterally the fibrils grew in steps of ≈4 nm, indicating microfibril formation and incorporation.

Journal of Structural Biology

Accommodative conditions are from 0 to –4 diopter in steps of one diopter.

Optik - International Journal for Light and Electron Optics

Time is discretized in steps of 1 h.

Computational Social Networks

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a methodology, use "in steps of" to clearly define the increment size and ensure reproducibility. For example, "Increase the temperature in steps of 5 degrees Celsius" provides a precise protocol.

Common error

Avoid using "in steps of" when describing qualitatively different phases of a process. "Stages" imply distinct activities, while "steps" suggest quantitative or measured increments. For instance, use "in stages" when referring to phases of a project, not when describing a gradual increase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in steps of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the manner or method of progression. As Ludwig AI indicates, this prepositional phrase is often used to express gradual or incremental changes in controlled experiments or procedures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

News & Media

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in steps of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase, predominantly found in scientific and academic writing. Ludwig AI underlines that it serves to describe a methodical and incremental progression, making it ideal for contexts requiring precision and clarity. While alternatives like "incrementally" or "gradually" exist, "in steps of" provides a specific emphasis on measured change, especially in scientific and technical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in increments of

Synonymous, but places emphasis on the specific amount added each time.

in intervals of

Similar to "in increments of", but suggests a regular spacing or timing between each change.

by regular increments

Stresses the consistent and predictable nature of the progression.

stepwise

Describes a process that advances one step at a time.

in stages of

Emphasizes the discrete and potentially distinct phases of a process.

in a phased manner

Highlights that a process is being done in arranged stages.

incrementally

Focuses on the manner of increase, emphasizing the small, measured nature of the change.

gradually

Highlights the slow and progressive nature of the change, without specifying the size of each step.

by degrees

Implies a slow and often subtle progression.

little by little

Emphasizes the small size of each advance and the cumulative effect over time.

FAQs

How can I use "in steps of" in a sentence?

Use "in steps of" to describe a process that advances incrementally. For example, "The voltage was increased "in steps of" 0.1 volts" indicates a measured, gradual increase.

What's the difference between "in increments of" and "in steps of"?

The phrases "in increments of" and "in steps of" are largely interchangeable. However, "in steps of" may subtly imply a more controlled or measured progression, especially in scientific or technical contexts, while "in increments of" has a bit more general usage.

What are some alternatives to "in steps of"?

You can use alternatives like "incrementally", "gradually", or "in intervals of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "in steps of" or "by steps of"?

"In steps of" is the more common and natural phrasing. "By steps of" is less idiomatic and may sound awkward to native English speakers. Therefore "in steps of" is almost always preferred.