take substantial steps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take substantial steps" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions taken to achieve a goal or make progress in a particular situation. Example: "To improve our environmental impact, we must take substantial steps towards sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In the case of Express Scripts, the acquisition agreement's hell-or-high-water provisions require Express Scripts to take substantial steps to obtain antitrust clearance.

The New York Times

Under the rules, which take effect in January of next year, lenders cannot make so-called  "no documentation" loans or offer deceptively low "teaser" interest rates, and they must take substantial steps to make sure that the borrower can afford to repay the loan.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

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

The New York Times - Health

By holding credible elections earlier this year and through other recent developments, the Iranian government has taken substantial steps towards reform in Iran (Editorial, 20 September).

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

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

Teams have come close in the last five years, like West Virginia under Rich Rodriguez and Cincinnati under Brian Kelly, but both programs took substantial steps back once those coaches departed for more prestigious programs.

The New York Times

It added that forces had taken "substantial steps" to protect front line roles.

BBC

Here we have taken substantial steps towards identifying additional specific compounds associated with favourable and unfavourable consumer responses to rice aromatic quality.

Rice

At the same time, institutions are taking substantial steps to cut their operating costs, increase institutional aid and keep students' out-of-pocket costs and debt as low as possible, all while maintaining academic standards.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take substantial steps", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific area in which these steps are being taken. For instance, "take substantial steps to reduce carbon emissions" provides more clarity than simply "take substantial steps".

Common error

Avoid using "take substantial steps" when the actions are minor or insignificant. Overstating the impact can undermine credibility. Ensure the actions genuinely represent a notable effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take substantial steps" functions as a verb phrase that indicates the initiation of significant actions. It's often used to describe efforts made towards achieving a specific goal or resolving an issue. As Ludwig AI shows, it describes an action to be taken.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take substantial steps" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that significant actions are being taken towards a specific objective. According to Ludwig AI, it's considered correct and appears frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies the area of action and that the steps taken genuinely represent a notable effort. Remember to avoid overstating the impact if the actions are minor. Related alternatives include "implement significant measures" and "undertake considerable efforts".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implement significant measures

Replaces "steps" with "measures" and "take" with "implement", emphasizing the execution of planned actions.

undertake considerable efforts

Uses "undertake" to suggest beginning a task and replaces "substantial" with "considerable", indicating noteworthy but potentially less impactful actions.

initiate meaningful actions

Emphasizes the start of actions that are important or purposeful, replacing "substantial" with "meaningful".

make significant strides

Emphasizes forward progress and achievement, altering the verb to "make" and using "strides" to imply advancement.

adopt rigorous procedures

Focuses on following strict processes, with "adopt" indicating acceptance and "rigorous" suggesting thoroughness.

enact decisive policies

Highlights the act of establishing impactful policies, replacing "steps" with "policies" and "substantial" with "decisive".

pursue aggressive strategies

Suggests actively following intense methods, changing the focus from general actions to specific plans.

establish firm guidelines

Focuses on setting up strong rules or recommendations, with "establish" indicating creation and "firm" emphasizing strength.

develop comprehensive plans

Emphasizes creating detailed and extensive plans, differing from general actions.

launch ambitious initiatives

Highlights the beginning of bold and challenging projects, replacing general actions with specific projects.

FAQs

What does "take substantial steps" mean?

The phrase "take substantial steps" means to make significant or considerable actions towards achieving a goal or resolving a problem. It implies that the actions are more than just superficial and represent a real effort.

What are some alternatives to "take substantial steps"?

Alternatives include phrases like "implement significant measures", "undertake considerable efforts", or "initiate meaningful actions". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

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

You can use "take substantial steps" like this: "The company needed to take substantial steps to improve its customer service" or "The government is taking substantial steps to reduce unemployment".

Is it better to say "take substantial steps" or "make substantial steps"?

"Take substantial steps" is the idiomatic and grammatically correct phrasing. While "make" can be used with "steps" in other contexts, "take" is preferred when referring to actions or measures taken towards a specific goal.