promising steps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "promising steps" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe actions or measures that show potential for positive outcomes or improvements in a particular situation. Example: "The organization has taken promising steps towards reducing its carbon footprint by implementing new sustainability practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Earlier this year, he took some promising steps.

The New Yorker

Coventry has made promising steps towards a post-Fordist manufacturing world.

The Economist

Recent weeks have seen two promising steps toward putting to rest lingering ghosts of World War II.

The New York Times

Health care experts say some employers and insurers are taking promising steps toward making the consumer-driven model work.

The New York Times

Your May 16 editorial notes both difficult challenges and promising steps toward persuading Iran and North Korea to forgo their nuclear weapons programs.

The New York Times

It has been three years since the NHS announced its intention to prioritise and accelerate the adoption of innovations in their Innovation Health and Wealth report and we've seen some promising steps in the right direction.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

But it's a promising step forward.

The New York Times

"It's a promising step," Jack Lavelle, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Water Resources, said of today's announcement.

The New York Times

The launch of AESA on earlier this month is a promising step in the right direction.

The Guardian

"This is a promising step forward, though hard work and hard choices remain ahead," Obama said.

The Guardian

A promising step was made when Hou-Tong Chen and colleagues at Los Alamos (N.M).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "promising steps" with a direction (e.g., "promising steps toward sustainability") to clarify the area of improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "promising steps" when the actions taken are minimal or lack substantial evidence of future success. Ensure there is a reasonable basis for optimism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "promising steps" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb (e.g., "taking promising steps") or as a subject complement. Ludwig confirms that it describes actions or measures that show potential for positive results.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "promising steps" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe initial actions or developments that indicate potential for positive future outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively conveys optimism and highlights progress across diverse fields like science, politics, and business. While suitable for neutral and professional contexts, it should be used judiciously to avoid overstating the actual impact of the actions being described. Consider alternatives like "encouraging signs" or "hopeful developments" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encouraging signs

Focuses on indicators suggesting positive future outcomes.

hopeful developments

Highlights progress that inspires optimism.

positive indicators

Emphasizes specific data points that suggest improvement.

auspicious signs

More formal, suggesting that something bodes well for the future.

favorable trends

Indicates a pattern of positive change over time.

advancements underway

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the progress.

welcome progress

Emphasizes the positive reception of advancements.

positive moves

Simple and direct, indicating beneficial actions taken.

significant strides

Highlights the magnitude of the advancements made.

groundbreaking advancements

Highlights progress that is original and of great importance.

FAQs

How can I use "promising steps" in a sentence?

You can use "promising steps" to describe initial actions or developments that suggest a positive future outcome. For example, "The company is taking "promising steps" to reduce its carbon footprint".

What are some alternatives to saying "promising steps"?

Alternatives include "encouraging signs", "hopeful developments", or "positive indicators", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a promising step" instead of "promising steps"?

Yes, "a "promising step"" can be used to describe a single action or development, while "promising steps" refers to multiple actions or a process involving several stages.

What's the difference between "promising steps" and "significant progress"?

"Promising steps" indicates early stages of positive action, whereas "significant progress" suggests more substantial advancements have already been achieved.