steps were made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steps were made" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that progress or actions have been taken towards a goal or objective. Example: "In the last meeting, we discussed the project timeline, and I am pleased to report that significant steps were made in the development phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Throughout the year earnest steps were made to restore normalcy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His article about Sierra Leone ends in 2000, before a cease-fire was declared in that country's civil war and small steps were made toward restoring peace.

The New York Times - Books

However, European ministers said that the new steps were made inevitable by the continued violence in Syria, where as many as 900 people have been killed in more than two months of protests, activists say.

The New York Times

This idea of wrapping a ruin around a building was also taken up by young American universities, whose steel frames and concrete slabs were concealed behind stone cladding splashed with acid to simulate age (steps were made from soft stone so they would wear down more quickly).

The Guardian - Arts

Accumulation and stripping steps were made in the sample medium conditioned with acetate buffer (pH 4.8).

Electrochimica Acta

In the 1960s, first steps were made in linking economy and environment bringing out lots of environmental I/O models in the following years.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

What steps are made to make sure that test-takers aren't given an unfair advantage?

The New York Times

The steps are made from double rungs, so you have a tread which is 10cm/4in wide.

Independent

So it's got a long way to go, but there are small steps being made.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When steps are made from the inside, the primary concern will be for how they feel on the body.

The New Yorker

Then, two main steps are made to optimize Atkinson engine.

Swarm and Evolutionary Computation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "steps were made" when you want to emphasize that a series of actions, rather than a single event, has led to a particular outcome.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive voice. While "steps were made" is grammatically correct, consider rephrasing to active voice (e.g., "the team made significant steps") for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steps were made" functions as a passive construction indicating that actions have been performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English, conveying that progress or actions have been taken.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Science

18%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "steps were made" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating actions taken or progress achieved. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication, it is important to be mindful of overusing passive voice. Related phrases such as "actions were taken" or "progress was achieved" can provide alternative ways to convey similar meanings. The relatively low frequency suggests that writers might prefer more active or specific constructions in many situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

actions were taken

Replaces "steps" with "actions", focusing on the performance of acts or deeds.

progress was achieved

Emphasizes the result of movement toward a goal, rather than the individual actions.

advancements were realized

Highlights the realization of advancements or improvements.

measures were implemented

Focuses on the introduction and enforcement of specific measures.

initiatives were launched

Indicates the commencement of new projects or initiatives.

strides were taken

Emphasizes the significant progress or notable advancements.

procedures were enacted

Highlights the formal enactment or establishment of procedures.

moves were executed

Focuses on the performance of strategic or tactical moves.

approaches were adopted

Indicates the acceptance and use of new methods or strategies.

interventions were applied

Emphasizes the application of specific interventions to address an issue.

FAQs

How can I use "steps were made" in a sentence?

You can use "steps were made" to indicate progress or actions taken toward a specific goal. For example, "Significant "steps were made" in the negotiation process last week".

What are some alternatives to "steps were made"?

Alternatives include "progress was achieved", "actions were taken", or "advancements were realized", depending on the specific context.

Is "steps were made" formal or informal?

"Steps were made" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "steps were made" and "progress was made"?

"Steps were made" emphasizes specific actions, while "progress was made" focuses on the overall advancement toward a goal. "Steps were made" implies a more concrete set of actions.