missed step

USAGE SUMMARY

"missed step" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone making a mistake, forgetting to do something, or omitting an action. Example: Joe missed a step in the document filing process, which caused a delay in the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Still, with only six games in this round and another to come, qualifying is no time for a missed step.

The New York Times

Process There are normally seven stages in any negotiation and if you miss a stage you're doomed to go back and cover the missed step.

Independent

The title song has moments of vocal abandon — or rather, it should, at 1 15 and 2 41, and when they don't arrive, it's jarring, like a missed step on the way down a flight of stairs.

The New Yorker

The title song has moments of vocal abandon or rather, it should, at 1 15 and 2 41, and when they don't arrive, it's jarring, like a missed step on the way down a flight of stairs.

The New Yorker

A missed step in their early years can cause them to play catch up for the rest of their lives.

Huffington Post

Her missed step from the ledge of one of her stilted heels, passion loosed with each displaced hairpin.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Lines were missed, steps skipped.

The New York Times

"Furillo was fast, but that season he missed stepping on second or third base seven times".

The New York Times - Sports

She's looking for the missed steps (or missteps) that lead to bad loans.

Forbes

And because other pressures such as disease or drought could easily derail that dance, each partner must evolve quickly to make up for any missed steps.

Science Magazine

I wish that he could have rested peacefully and woken renewed, rather than leaving us all to question the missed steps and wishing him rest in peace.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "missed step", ensure the context clearly indicates what process or sequence was interrupted or not fully completed.

Common error

Don't use "missed step" without specifying what the step was or its impact. Provide context to clarify the consequence of the missed action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "missed step" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically refers to an omission or failure to perform a required action in a sequence or process. This is supported by examples found by Ludwig, where it describes errors in procedures or sequences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "missed step" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Although relatively uncommon in frequency, it effectively serves to pinpoint a failure to perform a required action within a sequence. Usage spans across diverse categories from science to news reporting, offering a neutral tone suitable for various writing styles. Related terms include "oversight", "omission", and "lapse", each providing slightly different shades of meaning. When using "missed step", ensure contextual clarity to communicate the specific point of failure and its implications effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

oversight

Focuses on the act of overlooking or failing to notice something important, rather than the consequence.

blunder

Emphasizes a careless or stupid mistake.

error

Highlights the deviation from accuracy or correctness.

failing

Underscores the lack of success or effectiveness.

omission

Focuses on the act of leaving something out or neglecting to do something.

slip-up

Suggests a minor mistake or error, often unintentional.

lapse

Implies a temporary failure of judgment or concentration.

gaffe

Highlights a social blunder or faux pas.

flaw

Focuses on an imperfection or defect that weakens something.

inaccuracy

Emphasizes the lack of precision or correctness.

FAQs

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

You can use "missed step" to indicate a failure to perform a necessary action, as in, "Joe "missed a step" in the process, causing delays."

What are some synonyms for "missed step"?

Alternatives for "missed step" include "oversight", "omission", or "lapse" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "missed step" in formal writing?

Yes, "missed step" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing procedures, processes, or sequences of actions. However, consider alternatives like "oversight" for a more formal tone.

What is the difference between "missed step" and "mistake"?

"Missed step" specifically refers to omitting a required action in a sequence, whereas "mistake" is a broader term for any error or incorrect action.