just one step before

USAGE SUMMARY

"just one step before" is a perfectly grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It implies that something is about to happen, as in the following example sentence: "We are just one step before reaching our goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That left just one step before people could theoretically create yeast designed to churn out narcotics.

The Washington Post

There are also people who are just one step before what we consider acceptable criteria in terms of skills and theoretical knowledge to get into our program.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's just one step on the path".

The Guardian - Music

That's just one step too far.

Cornell University

But I took that step, just one step, forward.

The New Yorker

It's just one step above trailer.

The New York Times

"It's just one step," McNabb said.

The New York Times - Sports

It was just one step today".

The New York Times - Sports

So now we're just one step from solving this.

Yale University

It's just one step closer to completing the dream.

The Guardian - Sport

They knew Wolfe's departure was just one step.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just one step before" to create anticipation, suggesting that a significant event or achievement is about to occur. It is effective in building excitement or highlighting progress in a narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "just one step before" if the situation actually requires multiple actions or stages to complete. This phrase implies near completion, so it's misleading if significant work remains.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just one step before" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate how close something is to happening. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just one step before" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to convey the idea of being very close to achieving something or reaching a certain point. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from various sources, mainly news and academic contexts. While versatile, it's important to use it accurately, ensuring the situation truly involves near completion. Consider alternatives like "almost there" or "on the verge of" for similar meanings. It is very useful in building anticipation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one step away from

This alternative uses a slightly different preposition but maintains the core meaning of proximity.

almost there

This alternative is shorter and more informal, implying imminent arrival or completion.

on the verge of

This alternative suggests being at the edge of a significant change or event.

on the brink of

This alternative conveys a sense of being at a critical juncture or turning point.

practically there

This alternative is less formal and implies a near-certainty of reaching the destination or goal.

close to achieving

This alternative emphasizes the accomplishment that is near completion.

just shy of

This alternative implies being slightly short of a goal, suggesting a minor gap remains.

nearing completion

This alternative emphasizes the process of finishing something, rather than the final step.

about to happen

This alternative focuses on the imminence of an event, rather than the progress made.

approaching the final stage

This alternative is more formal and descriptive, highlighting the progression to the last part.

FAQs

How can I use "just one step before" in a sentence?

You can use "just one step before" to indicate that something is very close to happening or being achieved. For example, "The company is just one step before launching its new product".

What's a good alternative to "just one step before"?

Consider using alternatives like "one step away from", "almost there", or "on the verge of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "just one step before" grammatically correct?

Yes, "just one step before" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express nearness to an event or goal, as Ludwig AI confirms.

What is the difference between "just one step before" and "just one step away from"?

While both phrases indicate proximity, "just one step before" implies a sequence or progression leading up to something, whereas "just one step "away from"" focuses more on the distance remaining.