major step towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major step towards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate significant progress or advancement in a particular direction or goal. Example: "The new policy represents a major step towards achieving sustainability in our operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But we have made a major step towards the Euros.

The Guardian - Sport

Beatification is the first major step towards sainthood.

The Guardian

On Tuesday it felt like we made another major step towards the symbolic 7000 mark.

The Guardian - Business

De Silvestro said: "This is a major step towards me achieving a life-long dream".

The Guardian - Sport

Lunn said: "This decision is hopefully a major step towards clearing our names.

The Guardian - Business

It is the first major step towards ending mercury production and use in mining and industry.

The Guardian

Therefore, a better understanding of comets is a major step towards understanding of our own origins.

Harvard University

"Today I've taken another major step towards winning the Giro," he said.

Independent

The results represent a major step towards the feasibility of a γ-ray tracking detector.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

It is a major step towards the design of urban sustainable development schemes.

Ecological Modelling

Toyoshi Fuketa, a senior member of the authority, said the fuel rod removal would mark a "major step towards decommissioning".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "major step towards" when you want to emphasize that a particular action or event is a significant contribution to achieving a larger goal. Be sure the context clearly indicates the ultimate objective.

Common error

Avoid using "major step towards" for minor advancements. Reserve it for actions that genuinely represent substantial progress toward the intended outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major step towards" functions as a noun phrase modifier that indicates significant progress being made in the direction of a particular goal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a valid and useful expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "major step towards" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to denote significant progress toward a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and useful expression. Analysis of various sources reveals that it is most frequently used in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's important to reserve its use for advancements that are truly substantial, avoiding overstatement. Related phrases like "significant progress towards" and "important advance toward" offer alternative ways to convey a similar meaning. Overall, "major step towards" is a valuable tool for expressing meaningful progress in a clear and impactful way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant progress towards

Replaces 'major step' with 'significant progress', focusing on the overall advancement.

important advance toward

Substitutes 'step' with 'advance', highlighting the forward movement.

substantial stride toward

Uses 'stride' to emphasize a larger, more confident movement forward.

key milestone in

Replaces the 'step towards' phrasing with 'key milestone', indicating a significant achievement.

critical move toward

Emphasizes the importance of the action with 'critical', suggesting it's essential.

pivotal development in

Highlights that the development is a turning point with 'pivotal'.

giant leap for

Borrowing from a famous phrase, exaggerates the scale of progress.

breakthrough in

Indicates a sudden and significant advancement.

groundbreaking achievement in

Highlights the innovative and precedent-setting nature of the accomplishment.

decisive advance in

Suggests that the advance is conclusive or settles a matter.

FAQs

How can I use "major step towards" in a sentence?

Use "major step towards" to describe a significant advancement toward a specific goal. For example: "The new policy is a "major step towards" sustainability."

What are some alternatives to "major step towards"?

You can use phrases like "significant progress towards", "important advance toward", or "substantial stride toward" as alternatives to "major step towards".

Is it correct to say "a major step in" instead of "a major step towards"?

While "a major step in" is grammatically correct, it doesn't convey the same sense of direction or progress as "a "major step towards"". The latter implies movement toward a specific objective.

When is it appropriate to use "major step towards"?

It's appropriate when describing an action or event that noticeably contributes to the achievement of a long-term goal. Make sure the advancement is truly significant.