substantial steps

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantial steps" is an appropriate and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when describing something that has made significant advances or changes. For example, "The company has taken substantial steps to reduce their environmental impact over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

A few, though, are more substantial steps forward.

The New York Times - Tech

Lansley said the coalition had taken substantial steps to turn around the CQC and help Morecambe Bay trust.

The Guardian

Britain has taken substantial steps forward since my mum's first days here but the undercurrents of bigotry are still strong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dr. Eydelman said the company had "taken substantial steps" to address safety concerns, making "many device modifications".

The New York Times - Health

He said that cycling's governing body, which strongly rejected doping allegations during the 1990s, has taken substantial steps against doping.

The New York Times - Sports

Malaysia, for one, has argued that ASEAN's credibility rests on persuading Myanmar to take more substantial steps toward democracy.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

There, Ms. Gill Hearn said: "This guilty plea was a substantial step forward in this case.

The New York Times

An exit from Gaza would be a substantial step by any standard.

The Economist

He sees a substantial step forward too in other areas of public life, notably entertainment and athletics.

The Guardian

Providing access to comprehensive health services for all low-income Californians would be a substantial step towards a healthier state.

University of California, Berkeley

"This is a substantial step forward," Mr. Glantz said at a news conference that followed disclosure of the report.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial steps" when you want to emphasize significant actions taken to achieve a specific goal or address a particular issue. It conveys a sense of tangible progress and commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial steps" if the actions taken are minor or have not yet yielded significant results. Ensure that the magnitude of the steps aligns with the adjective "substantial".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial steps" functions as a noun phrase that often acts as the object of a verb, typically 'take' or 'make'. It describes concrete actions or progress towards a specific goal. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is appropriate and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantial steps" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that signifies considerable actions or progress. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various writing contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business domains. The analysis reveals that the phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources, emphasizing its role in reporting significant developments. While interchangeable with alternatives like "significant measures" or "major strides", "substantial steps" underscores the magnitude of the actions taken. When using this phrase, ensure the actions genuinely warrant the adjective "substantial" to maintain accuracy and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant measures

Emphasizes the importance of the actions taken.

considerable actions

Highlights the scale or extent of the actions.

major strides

Suggests notable advancements or improvements.

notable progress

Focuses on the advancements made.

real advancements

Stresses the genuineness of the progress.

decisive moves

Implies a firm and resolute course of action.

meaningful initiatives

Highlights the intention and impact of the actions.

important undertakings

Stresses the importance and scale of the project or task.

material developments

Focuses on the concrete changes and outcomes.

tangible improvements

Highlights the visible and measurable enhancements.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial steps" to describe significant progress or actions taken. For example, "The company has taken "significant measures" to improve its environmental impact".

What are some alternatives to "substantial steps"?

Alternatives include "considerable actions", "major strides", and "notable progress". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "substantial steps" or "significant steps"?

"Substantial steps" and "significant steps" are often interchangeable, but "substantial" emphasizes the magnitude or extent of the steps, while "significant" highlights their importance or impact.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "substantial steps"?

It's inappropriate to use "substantial steps" when the actions taken are minimal or don't represent a meaningful change. In such cases, phrases like "minor adjustments" or "small improvements" would be more accurate.