take the next step

USAGE SUMMARY

"take the next step" is a perfectly correct and usable expression in written English.
It is often used to encourage someone to continue with something, or advance to the next level. For example: "You have already made so much progress, now it is time to take the next step and reach your goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I better take the next step".

The New York Times

"He's ready to take the next step.

The New York Times - Sports

"We need to take the next step.

The New York Times - Sports

I wanted to take the next step.

The New York Times - Sports

"Now we must take the next step".

The New York Times

"It's a chance to take the next step," he said.

The New York Times

"Maybe we don't know how to take the next step.

The New Yorker

"I think we need to take the next step".

The New Yorker

"He was really excited to take the next step".

The New York Times - Sports

Now we're ready to take the next step".

The New Yorker

Will Congress take the next step and outlaw home antennas?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take the next step", ensure the context clearly defines what that 'step' entails. Specificity enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "take the next step" in vague scenarios where the next action isn't clear to the audience. Ambiguity can undermine your message and create confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take the next step" functions primarily as a verbial phrase used to urge progression or advancement. It's an idiomatic expression suggesting that after completing the initial stages or tasks, it's time to move forward to the subsequent phase. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly appears in both imperative and declarative sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take the next step" is a common and versatile idiom used to encourage progression and advancement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse fields like news, sports, and business make it a reliable choice for motivating action and indicating a shift to a subsequent phase. While semantically similar alternatives like "advance further" and "move to the next phase" exist, the phrase's idiomatic nature makes it uniquely impactful. To ensure clarity, always specify what the 'next step' involves, thus avoiding ambiguity. Whether in casual conversation or formal writing, "take the next step" remains a powerful tool for inspiring progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make further progress

Underlines the continued advancement towards a goal.

move to the next phase

Emphasizes the transition to a new stage of development.

advance further

Focuses on moving forward without explicitly mentioning a 'step'.

proceed to the following stage

Highlights the sequential progression in a structured process.

continue the journey

Implies an ongoing process with a sense of exploration or challenge.

build upon existing foundations

Suggests expanding or developing from a current base.

elevate to the subsequent level

Indicates rising to a higher position or status.

deepen the engagement

Emphasizes strengthening commitment or involvement.

push the boundaries

Suggests going beyond current limitations or standards.

accelerate the process

Focuses on speeding up the progression towards completion.

FAQs

How can I use "take the next step" in a sentence?

You can use "take the next step" to suggest moving forward after a certain point. For example, "After completing the training, it's time to "take the next step" and apply these skills in a real project."

What phrases are similar to "take the next step"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "advance further", "move to the next phase", or "make further progress", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "taking the next step" or should I always use "take the next step"?

Both forms are correct, but they serve different grammatical functions. "Take the next step" is often used as an imperative (a command or instruction), while "taking the next step" functions as a gerund or part of a continuous verb tense. For example, "Taking the next step requires careful planning."

What's the nuance between "take the next step" and "take the first step"?

"Take the first step" refers to initiating something, starting a process. "Take the next step" implies that some initial action has already occurred, and it's time to "continue onward".