take preliminary steps

USAGE SUMMARY

"take preliminary steps" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to take initial or preparatory actions towards achieving a goal or completing a task. Example: Before launching the new product, we need to take preliminary steps such as market research and designing a marketing strategy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Bloomberg, along with Joseph F. Bruno, the commissioner of the city's Office of Emergency Management, instructed residents to take preliminary steps in the event of a crisis: stock up on basic supplies, identify an alternative place to sleep in the event of an evacuation and prepare a "go bag" of essentials to allow for a rapid departure, if necessary.

The New York Times

Back in the city, Mr. Bloomberg, along with Joseph F. Bruno, the commissioner of the city's Office of Emergency Management, instructed residents to take preliminary steps: stock up on basic supplies, identify an alternative place to sleep in the event of an evacuation and prepare a "go bag" of essentials to allow for a rapid departure, if necessary.

The New York Times

Our aim here is to draw on this growing body of knowledge in informal logic in order to take preliminary steps towards developing an architecture for computer systems that are able to recognise and reconstruct natural language arguments.

Journal of Pragmatics

Michael Stewart, Wilson's Foreign Secretary, recommended that Britain take preliminary steps towards removing Beadle from the Privy Council if the Chief Justice did not resign or disassociate himself from the republic "within a week or two" after the new constitution came into force.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

About 6,200 city teachers have taken preliminary steps toward retiring at the end of the school year.

The New York Times

After a clash with management about how to handle security information, the airline has taken preliminary steps to fire her, she said.

The New York Times

Dealing Benitez might bring much-needed offensive help in return, and the Mets are taking preliminary steps in the event they do trade him.

The New York Times - Sports

Japan and South Korea have said that they will join in the complaints if the tariffs are not withdrawn, and Brazil, China, New Zealand, Switzerland and Norway have taken preliminary steps to follow suit.

The New York Times

About 6,200 of New York City's 80,000 teachers, or 8percentt, have taken preliminary steps toward retiring at the end of the school year, said Randi Weingarten, the union president.

The New York Times

At the same time, he has found a surprisingly receptive audience among companies that are taking preliminary steps to improve workers' compensation, reduce pollution and promote well-being.

The New York Times

On Dec. 6, the Landmarks Preservation Commission issued a so-called standstill agreement with Rockrose to suspend demolition of the building for a month while the commission considered taking preliminary steps toward making it a city landmark.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take preliminary steps" to clearly communicate that actions are being initiated but are not yet conclusive or fully developed. It indicates forethought and planning without overstating the progress made.

Common error

Avoid using "take preliminary steps" when more significant actions have already been completed. Using it in such situations can downplay the actual progress and mislead the audience about the current stage of the project or initiative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take preliminary steps" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the initiation of actions. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, highlighting its role in describing the beginning stages of a process or plan.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take preliminary steps" is a common phrase used to describe the act of initiating actions towards a goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While semantically similar phrases exist, such as "take initial measures" or "begin preparatory actions", "take preliminary steps" is suitable in various register levels. When using this phrase, it is important to honestly represent the status. It is generally used when planning an action, and it doesn't work well if more significant actions have already been completed. The phrase is frequently found in news and media, science, and wiki sources, indicating its widespread use in reporting and documentation of processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take initial measures

Focuses on the actions themselves, replacing "steps" with "measures", which implies a more concrete action.

begin preparatory actions

Emphasizes the start of the preparation process, replacing "take" with "begin" and "steps" with "actions".

lay the groundwork

Suggests creating a foundation for something, rather than individual steps.

set the stage

Implies arranging conditions to make something possible or more likely.

make preparations

A more general term indicating that preparations are being made.

start the ball rolling

An idiomatic expression indicating the initiation of an activity.

get the ball rolling

An idiomatic expression indicating the initiation of an activity, differing slightly in nuance.

pave the way

Indicates making progress or creating opportunities for future actions.

initiate the process

Highlights the act of starting a formal or structured sequence of actions.

embark on the journey

Suggests beginning a process that is expected to take a long time.

FAQs

What does "take preliminary steps" mean?

It means to begin the initial actions or preparations needed to achieve a goal or complete a task. It implies a proactive approach involving planning and early implementation.

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

You might say, "Before launching the marketing campaign, we need to "take preliminary steps" such as conducting market research and identifying our target audience."

What are some alternatives to "take preliminary steps"?

You can use alternatives like "take initial measures", "begin preparatory actions", or "lay the groundwork", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "take preliminary steps" instead of "take final steps"?

"Take preliminary steps" is appropriate when you are at the beginning of a process and initiating actions to prepare. "Take final steps" would be used when you are nearing completion and carrying out the concluding actions.