tangible step

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tangible step" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is practical, measurable, and concrete. For example: "Investing in new technology was a tangible step our company took to increase efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Wasn't Washington's readiness to participate officially in the nuclear talks a tangible step, I asked?

The New York Times

It was accompanied by a tangible step up in providing AIDS treatment and preventing the infection in newborns.

The New York Times

"It was an amazing, tangible step forward for Amsterdam, and a lot of venues have benefited from it".

The Guardian

The Afghan and American governments say the road's restored condition is a tangible step toward a self-sufficient Afghanistan.

The New York Times

N.B.A. players will elect a new union president Wednesday, the first tangible step in rebuilding an organization racked by dysfunction, infighting and scandal.

The New York Times - Sports

It was the first tangible step towards answering one of the oldest questions around: does life exist elsewhere in the universe?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"There have been no tangible steps offered to us".

The New York Times

Merkel has shied from tangible steps to turn away prospective asylum seekers.

Independent

"I hope that the implementation of the decision will lead to tangible steps against the organization".

The New York Times

Yet no one seems to be able to take tangible steps in any direction.

The New York Times

But according to Hu, the company has taken some tangible steps to improve the situation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tangible step" when you want to highlight a concrete and measurable action that contributes to a larger goal. For example, "Implementing a new customer service hotline is a "tangible step" toward improving customer satisfaction."

Common error

While "tangible step" is effective, ensure the context truly involves a concrete action. Overusing it in purely theoretical or abstract scenarios can weaken its impact. Instead, consider phrases like "conceptual shift" or "theoretical advance".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tangible step" is to act as a noun phrase that describes a specific, concrete action taken towards achieving a goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in various contexts, highlighting its reliability and versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

15%

Science & Research

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tangible step" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes a specific, measurable action taken towards a goal. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business, lending itself to a neutral to professional register. When using "tangible step", ensure the context involves a concrete action to maintain its impact and avoid overuse. Alternatives include "concrete action" and "practical measure", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concrete action

Focuses on the action being real and definite rather than just a stage in a process.

practical measure

Emphasizes the feasibility and utility of the action.

real advance

Highlights the forward movement and genuineness of the progress.

significant development

Stresses the importance and impact of the change.

positive move

Indicates a beneficial change or action.

meaningful progress

Highlights progress that is significant and has a clear purpose.

substantial improvement

Focuses on the degree of betterment or enhancement.

definite advancement

Emphasizes the certainty and progress made.

material improvement

Highlights the practical and noticeable aspects of the improvement.

visible progress

Emphasizes that the progress is easily seen and recognized.

FAQs

How can I use "tangible step" in a sentence?

You can use "tangible step" to describe a specific, measurable action taken towards a goal. For example, "The new policy is a "tangible step" towards environmental conservation."

What are some alternatives to "tangible step"?

You can use alternatives like "concrete action", "practical measure", or "real advance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "tangible step" formal or informal?

"Tangible step" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly found in professional and news-related writing.

What's the difference between "tangible step" and "significant step"?

"Tangible step" emphasizes the concreteness and measurability of the action, while "significant step" highlights the importance and impact of the action. A "tangible step" is something you can point to and measure, while a "significant step" may have a broader, less directly measurable effect.