next step

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "next step" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the following action or phase in a process or plan. Example: "After completing the initial research, the next step is to analyze the data collected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No next step.

The Guardian

That's the next step.

The New York Times

Next step: rent controls.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What's the next step?

The New York Times

The natural next step?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The next step?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

His next step?

Harvard University

Next step is action.

Stanford University

Take the next step.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Is there a next step?

The New Yorker

The next step was casting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When outlining a process, use "next step" to clearly signal the progression from one action to another. This helps ensure clarity and logical flow for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "next step" without clearly establishing what the current step is. Always provide sufficient context to ensure readers understand the sequence of actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "next step" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. As shown by Ludwig, it identifies the subsequent action or phase in a sequence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "next step" is a commonly used noun phrase to denote the immediately following action or stage in a process. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academia and general instructions. To ensure clarity, it is recommended to use "next step" with sufficient context, avoiding overuse without a clear establishment of the current action. Consider alternatives such as "subsequent action" or "what comes next" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsequent action

Emphasizes the action that immediately follows the current one.

following action

Highlights the action that comes directly after the present one.

next phase

Focuses on the progression to the subsequent stage of a process.

future course of action

Suggests a planned approach for what comes after.

what comes next

Directly asks or indicates the immediate succession of events.

ensuing action

Points to the action that naturally or logically follows.

forthcoming stage

Emphasizes the stage that is about to happen or be reached.

subsequent stage

Highlights the progression to a later phase.

following stage

Like subsequent, emphasizes the phase that is immediately after.

what follows

Indicates the events or actions that will occur afterward.

FAQs

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

You can use "next step" to indicate the subsequent action or stage in a process. For example, "After gathering the data, the "next step" is analysis."

What is an alternative to using the phrase "next step"?

Alternatives include "subsequent action", "following phase", or "what comes next", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the next steps" instead of "next step"?

Yes, "the "next steps"" is correct when referring to multiple actions that need to be taken. "Next step" is used when referring to a single, immediate action.

How does "next step" compare to "future action"?

"Next step" typically refers to the immediate action following the current one, while "future action" can refer to any action planned for the future, not necessarily the very next one.