take steps towards

USAGE SUMMARY

'take steps towards' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are suggesting that someone do something that will lead to the completion of a goal. For example, "We need to take steps towards achieving climate change goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everyone in the Group must take steps towards finding work".

Independent

The time is ripe to take steps towards a negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear conundrum.

The Guardian - Opinion

A few years ago, the health board decided to take steps towards becoming paperless.

The Guardian

But in the near term he believes it is possible to take steps towards it.

The Economist

Corbyn had hoped to take steps towards dropping Labour's support for Trident at this year's Labour conference.

The Guardian

He urged the country to take steps towards the resumption of the stalled six-party denuclearisation talks.

The Guardian

It was designed to take steps towards bringing murder law in England and Wales into the 21st century.

The Guardian - Opinion

This may prompt Turkey, a Nato member, to take steps towards closing its borders from the Syrian side.

The Guardian

That should be the first thing that is needed to become settled and to take steps towards becoming a citizen.

The Guardian

South Korea has previously rejected similar demands, saying North Korea must take steps towards nuclear disarmament first.

Independent

The motion put to parliament agreed both to take the necessary steps to maintain the nuclear weapons system, and to take steps towards meeting UK disarmament obligations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take steps towards", ensure the context clarifies who is taking the steps and what the ultimate goal is to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "take steps towards" in overly passive constructions. Instead of "Steps should be taken towards a solution", opt for the more direct "We must take steps towards finding a solution."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take steps towards" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of actions with the intention of achieving a specific goal. It is commonly used to describe purposeful and deliberate actions aimed at progress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take steps towards" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe intentional actions aimed at achieving a goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal communications. While simple and direct, ensure you use it in active voice and clarify who is taking those steps to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "move closer to" or "work toward" for nuanced expressions, but "take steps towards" remains a reliable and effective way to convey purpose and direction in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make headway toward

Replaces "take steps" with "make headway", emphasizing progress, not just action.

move closer to

Focuses on reducing the distance to a goal, implying incremental progress.

work toward

Highlights the effort and labor involved in pursuing a goal.

advance toward

Suggests a more deliberate and planned progression.

progress toward

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the movement.

initiate action toward

Highlights beginning or triggering a process.

start on the road to

Introduces the idea of embarking on a journey or process.

set about achieving

Implies intention and focused effort to reach something.

endeavor to

Suggests a formal and determined effort.

strive for

Implies a continuous struggle and dedicated effort.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "take steps towards"?

You can use alternatives like "move closer to", "work toward", or "advance toward" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "take steps toward" grammatically correct without the 's'?

While understandable, "take step toward" (singular) is less common. The plural form, "take steps towards", is the idiomatic and more widely accepted expression when referring to multiple actions or a process.

What's the difference between "take steps towards" and "achieve"?

"Take steps towards" indicates progress or action in a direction, whereas "achieve" implies the successful completion or attainment of something. You "take steps towards" a goal to eventually "achieve" it.

In what contexts is "take steps towards" most appropriate?

The phrase "take steps towards" is suitable in contexts where you want to emphasize the initiation or continuation of actions that contribute to a larger goal, especially in formal or professional settings.