take appropriate steps

USAGE SUMMARY

'take appropriate steps' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about the need to take action regarding a particular situation or problem. For example, "We need to take appropriate steps to improve our environmental impact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said the crew did not take appropriate steps to correct the error.

The New York Times - Sports

As a result, we cannot take appropriate steps to neutralize ironizing threat postures.

Princeton University

The President should also have the power to take appropriate steps to prevent a reoccurrence.

Yale University

"We would expect Royal Mail to take appropriate steps to respond to the challenge posed by competition, including improving efficiency".

The Guardian

We will take appropriate steps to voice our concerns with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and police".

Independent

Consistent with that philosophy, we take appropriate steps to maintain the confidentiality of competitive business information and trade secrets".

The New York Times

We expect the Air Force will now take appropriate steps to discipline the wrongdoers and deter future acts of retaliation".

The New York Times

Once the source of the snoring is identified, you can take appropriate steps to dampen the nightly din.

Harvard University

For legislatures may, if necessary, require railroads to take appropriate steps to reduce the likelihood of injuries at grade crossings.

Cornell University

The Captain or Chief Scientist will investigate and take appropriate steps to resolve and remedy the situation.

Columbia University

In its letter, Westfield stated that unless its differences with the Port Authority were quickly resolved, "we will be forced to take appropriate steps to protect our interests".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take appropriate steps", ensure the context clearly indicates what the appropriate steps are or will be. Avoid vague references by specifying the actions to be taken.

Common error

Avoid using "take appropriate steps" without clarifying what those steps entail. Ambiguity can lead to misinterpretation or inaction. Instead, provide concrete details or examples of the actions required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take appropriate steps" functions as a directive, outlining the need for action in response to a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Examples show it used to describe actions needed to correct errors, prevent recurrence, or protect interests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

27%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take appropriate steps" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that emphasizes the necessity of acting responsibly and effectively in a given situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and suitable for use in different types of writing. It functions as a directive and is applied in various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. While its register is typically neutral, specifying what constitutes "appropriate steps" ensures clarity and impact. Consider alternative phrases like "take suitable measures" or "implement necessary actions" to fine-tune the tone and focus. By providing specific actions, you can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take suitable measures

Replaces "steps" with "measures", suggesting a more formal or planned approach.

implement necessary actions

Emphasizes the implementation and necessity of the actions taken.

adopt relevant procedures

Highlights the adoption of specific and relevant procedures.

apply pertinent strategies

Focuses on the application of well thought out strategies.

undertake corrective measures

Suggests a focus on fixing or correcting a problem.

initiate required procedures

Emphasizes the beginning or initiation of needed procedures.

enact essential protocols

Highlights the enactment and essential nature of protocols.

exercise due diligence

Focuses on careful and thorough action, emphasizing caution and responsibility.

put measures in place

Emphasizes the implementation of concrete measures or actions.

take the required action

General replacement highlighting the legal action required.

FAQs

What does "take appropriate steps" mean?

The phrase "take appropriate steps" means to do what is necessary and suitable in a given situation to achieve a desired outcome or resolve a problem. It implies using good judgment to select and implement effective actions.

How can I use "take appropriate steps" in a sentence?

You can use "take appropriate steps" when describing actions that need to be taken to address a problem or achieve a goal. For example, "We must take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of our employees."

What can I say instead of "take appropriate steps"?

You can use alternatives like "take suitable measures", "implement necessary actions", or "adopt relevant procedures" depending on the context.

Is it better to be specific instead of saying "take appropriate steps"?

While "take appropriate steps" is a useful phrase, being specific is often better. For example, instead of saying "We will take appropriate steps to improve security", you could say "We will implement multi-factor authentication and conduct regular security audits."