sensible steps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sensible steps" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to reasonable or practical actions taken to achieve a goal or address a situation. Example: "To improve our team's productivity, we need to take sensible steps towards better communication and collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We are trying all the most sensible steps," Cairnes says.

The New Yorker

There are other sensible steps we can take, too.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he does want members to take "sensible" steps.

The Guardian

New York is considering sensible steps to recycle more textiles and other materials.

The New York Times

There are any number of sensible steps that can be taken to improve matters.

The New York Times

On Sunday, the Pentagon announced sensible steps to close the barn door - albeit it too late.

The Washington Post

Are there sensible steps that state and local government can take to further strengthen the region's technology eco-system?

Harvard University

The administration has also taken many sensible steps that go far beyond its sole constitutional mandate of preparing elections.

The Economist

ASER's survey also suggests that, with a few sensible steps, big improvements are possible even in state-run schools.

The Economist

These are sensible steps that would prevent a repetition of the worst abuses of the last election.

The New York Times

"Let's not leave it to our children to take emergency action to rescue the public finances; let's think ahead and take responsible, sensible steps now," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advocating for change or improvements, use "sensible steps" to frame your proposals as practical and well-reasoned, increasing their appeal to a broad audience.

Common error

While "sensible steps" is a useful phrase, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "practical actions" or "reasonable measures" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sensible steps" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb (e.g., take, implement, propose). As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used to describe actions that are considered practical, logical, and well-judged in a given context. Examples show it often appears in discussions of policy, planning, or problem-solving.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sensible steps" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe practical and well-reasoned actions. Ludwig confirms its broad usability. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, indicating its relevance in discussions of policy and current events. While "sensible steps" is versatile, varying your language with alternatives like "prudent measures" or "practical actions" can enhance your writing. Remember to use the phrase to advocate for changes or frame proposals in a practical light, increasing their appeal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

responsible measures

Emphasizes accountability and thoughtfulness behind the actions.

prudent measures

Replaces "sensible" with "prudent", emphasizing wisdom and caution in the actions taken.

judicious actions

Substitutes "sensible" with "judicious", stressing the careful and considered nature of the actions.

practical actions

Focuses on the practicality of the steps, omitting the implication of good judgment.

reasonable precautions

Highlights the preventative nature of the steps, framing them as safeguards.

sound strategies

Changes "steps" to "strategies", suggesting a more comprehensive and planned approach.

wise decisions

Highlights the intelligence behind the actions taken. Actions turn into decisions.

logical procedures

Focuses on the structured and rational aspect of the steps.

thoughtful interventions

Replaces steps with actions that are thoroughly considered to mitigate a problem.

smart moves

Offers a more informal and concise alternative, implying cleverness and effectiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "sensible steps" to describe practical actions taken to achieve a goal, such as, "The company is taking "sensible steps" to reduce its carbon footprint".

What can I say instead of "sensible steps"?

Alternatives to "sensible steps" include "prudent measures", "practical actions", or "responsible measures" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "sensible steps" or "smart steps"?

"Sensible steps" implies practicality and good judgment, while "smart steps" suggests cleverness and ingenuity. The better choice depends on whether you want to emphasize reason or cleverness. For example: "Taking small steps is not wrong, taking sensible ones is better".

What's the difference between "sensible steps" and "reasonable steps"?

"Sensible steps" emphasizes the practicality and appropriateness of the actions, while "reasonable steps" focuses on whether the actions are fair and justifiable. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize effectiveness or fairness.