small step forward

USAGE SUMMARY

"small step forward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe incremental progress or improvement. For example, "With each small step forward, the team is getting closer to their goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He calls every day a small step forward.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think I made a small step forward," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Pro-choice campaigners have welcomed the ruling, but this is a very small step forward.

The Guardian

Each denial of a visa because of credible evidence of corruption is one small step forward.

The New York Times

From Liz Kendall, the shadow care minister I think today's announcement is a small step forward.

The Guardian

Each small step forward felt like a huge leap forward for me personally".

The Guardian

"This is another small step forward," said Warren Morningstar, a spokesman for the trade group.

The New York Times

It is a small step forward after two years of being ignored.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is a small step forward unless individuals are named and punished.

The Guardian - Business

Ian Birrell in the Independent says the reforms are only a small step forward.

The Guardian

But the fact that it was adopted at all is a small step forward.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small step forward", consider balancing it with an acknowledgement of the remaining distance to the ultimate goal. This adds perspective and prevents overstating the achievement.

Common error

Avoid using "small step forward" when the progress is actually significant. Overstating the modesty can diminish the real achievement and sound insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small step forward" functions as a noun phrase that often acts as a subject complement or appositive. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It describes a situation or action that represents a minor advancement or improvement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small step forward" is a valid and frequently used phrase in English to denote incremental progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely employed across diverse contexts, notably in News & Media. While its function is to acknowledge advancements, it's crucial to use it judiciously, avoiding exaggeration when progress is substantial. Alternatives like "modest progress" or "incremental advancement" can provide nuance. Remember to balance optimism with realistic expectations when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a step in the right direction

Focuses on the positive orientation of the progress, even if small.

baby step

Suggests a very small and cautious advancement.

modest progress

Emphasizes the limited scale of the improvement.

slight improvement

Highlights the marginal nature of the betterment.

incremental advancement

Focuses on the gradual nature of the progress.

gradual development

Emphasizes the pace and evolutionary nature of the advancement.

inching forward

Conveys a slow and perhaps difficult progression.

minor breakthrough

Implies a small but significant discovery or achievement.

limited advancement

Highlights restrictions or constraints on the progress made.

token gesture

Suggests the advancement is more symbolic than substantive.

FAQs

How can I use "small step forward" in a sentence?

You can use "small step forward" to describe incremental progress, as in, "The new policy is a "small step forward" in addressing climate change".

What's a good alternative to "small step forward"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "modest progress", "incremental advancement", or "a step in the right direction".

Is it correct to say "a small step backwards"?

Yes, the phrase "a small step backwards" is grammatically correct and used to describe a slight regression or setback.

What does it mean when someone describes something as "a small step forward"?

It means that some progress has been made, but there's still a long way to go to achieve the ultimate goal. It acknowledges movement in a positive direction, however limited.