moving down the steps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moving down the steps" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of descending a staircase or a series of steps. Example: "She was moving down the steps carefully, making sure not to trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many of the usual suspects, like fast-food retailers, consumer staples, utilities and large-capitalization pharmaceutical stockshave, have turned in mixed performances, many of them moving down in lock-step with the broader market.

Forbes

Practice your major scales, starting with the middle C, moving down in half-steps before moving up.

WikiHow

In this representative example the CASM was moved down in four steps before its potential changed from zero to about −50 mV.

Cell Calcium

Move down and repeat steps 1 - 2. Repeat whole sequence.

WikiHow

That's right, move down to the next step.

WikiHow

At the start of all experiments the tip of a CASM was placed centrally on the top of the chosen neurone and moved down in 20 μm steps until there was a sudden fall in the potential, as shown in Fig. 1A.

Cell Calcium

Typically, the CASM was moved down in several 20 μm steps before its potential changed at all.

Cell Calcium

After perhaps 10 minutes of questions, Roethlisberger moved slowly down the steps, through the scrum and down a hallway.

The New York Times - Sports

I mean, it was a big step for me to move down to London from Blackpool.

The Guardian

Once the solidified gel has been glued to the microtome platform, the vibrating blade moves back and forth across it slowly, moving down one microscopic step at a time, to cut a series of sections from one end of the slice to the other.

The Guardian

The dog took measured steps and moved down the table in a straight line.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moving down the steps" to describe a literal descent. To enhance clarity, specify the manner of movement (e.g. cautiously, quickly).

Common error

Avoid using "moving down the steps" when describing abstract progressions or processes. Opt for phrases like "progressing", "advancing", or "taking the next step" for non-literal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moving down the steps" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the action of descending a staircase or a series of steps. Ludwig examples show it used in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

22%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "moving down the steps" is a grammatically correct and commonly used gerund phrase that describes the action of descending a staircase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is found in various contexts, from news articles to how-to guides. While primarily used to describe literal movement, it's essential to avoid its misuse in abstract contexts. For greater clarity, specify the manner of movement. Alternatives such as "descending the stairs" or "going down the steps" can be used interchangeably. The phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descending the stairs

Focuses specifically on the action of going down stairs.

going down the steps

A more straightforward and common way to describe the same action.

walking down the steps

Emphasizes the act of walking while descending.

coming down the steps

Implies movement towards the speaker or a specific location.

progressing down the steps

Highlights the gradual movement downwards.

descending a staircase

Uses a more formal term for the steps.

stepping down the steps

Emphasizes each individual step taken.

making one's way down the steps

Adds a sense of purpose or effort to the descent.

advancing down the steps

Suggests a forward movement as part of a larger process.

lower oneself down the steps

Implies a careful or controlled descent.

FAQs

What does "moving down the steps" mean?

The phrase "moving down the steps" describes the action of descending a staircase or a series of steps. It implies a physical movement from a higher position to a lower one.

How can I use "moving down the steps" in a sentence?

You can use "moving down the steps" to describe someone's action of descending. For example: "She was "moving down the steps" carefully, holding onto the railing."

What can I say instead of "moving down the steps"?

You can use alternatives like "descending the stairs", "going down the steps", or "walking down the steps" depending on the context.

Is "moving down the steps" formal or informal?

"Moving down the steps" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "descending a staircase" may be preferred in certain settings.