the next step will be

USAGE SUMMARY

"the next step will be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a plan or process that requires a sequence of steps. For example, "Now that we have completed the initial research, the next step will be to create a prototype."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The next step will be tougher.

The Guardian

The next step will be getting financial aid.

The New York Times

The next step will be the most challenging.

The New Yorker

The next step will be even more challenging.

The New York Times

The next step will be to begin lending.

The Guardian

The next step will be to seek more concessions westward.

The New York Times

The next step will be the finalisation of the Excel prototype in a user-friendly software.

Environmental Modelling & Software

The next step will be to use this technique to make thicker membranes.

University of California, Berkeley

The next step will be to describe the phenomena solely in terms of these quantities.

Princeton University

The next step will be to test the engineered valve in animal models.

Cornell University

The next step will be to take nodule counts as the plants reach the R1 stage.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When outlining a process, use "the next step will be" to clearly delineate the sequence of actions, ensuring each phase is easily understood. For instance, "After gathering user feedback, the next step will be to refine the design based on their suggestions."

Common error

Avoid using "the next step will be" repetitively in narratives where the sequence of events is already implied. Instead of saying "He finished the report, and the next step will be to submit it", a simpler "He finished the report and then submitted it" often sounds more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the next step will be" functions as a transitional phrase, guiding the audience through a sequence of actions or a planned process. As noted by Ludwig, it's commonly used to indicate the progression from one task to another. It serves to provide clarity and structure in explanations and plans.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the next step will be" is a versatile phrase used to clearly indicate the progression of actions or plans. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, this phrase effectively guides audiences through a sequence, ensuring clarity in instructions, plans, and process descriptions. While highly prevalent, it's essential to avoid overuse in simple narratives where the sequence is implied. Alternatives such as "the subsequent action involves" or "what follows is" can provide variety. By understanding its function and context, you can use "the next step will be" to enhance your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the subsequent action involves

Replaces 'step' with 'action' and uses 'involves' to indicate the future action.

the following phase entails

Substitutes 'step' with 'phase' and 'will be' with 'entails', indicating a necessary component.

the succeeding stage consists of

Replaces 'step' with 'stage' and uses 'consists of' to describe the components of the next stage.

the impending task requires

Changes 'step' to 'task' and 'will be' to 'requires', focusing on the demands of the upcoming action.

the approaching procedure demands

Substitutes 'step' with 'procedure' and 'will be' with 'demands', highlighting the requirements of the upcoming procedure.

the future course of action dictates

Replaces 'next step' with 'future course of action' and uses 'dictates' to express what needs to be done.

what follows is

A more concise alternative, indicating what comes after the current action.

moving forward, we must

Emphasizes the continuation of progress and the necessity of the next action.

the logical progression involves

Highlights the rational sequence of actions, replacing 'step' with 'progression'.

the natural continuation is

Implies that the next action is a seamless extension of what is currently happening.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the next step will be" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "the subsequent action entails", "the following phase necessitates", or "the succeeding stage requires". These options provide a more professional and sophisticated way to indicate the progression of tasks or events.

What are some casual alternatives to "the next step will be"?

In informal contexts, you can use phrases like "what's next is", "after that, we'll", or "then we've got to". These options are more conversational and relaxed, suitable for everyday discussions.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state "the next step will be" when outlining a process?

No, explicitly stating "the next step will be" isn't always necessary. If the sequence of actions is clear from the context, you can simply transition to the next action without using the phrase. However, it's useful when clarity is crucial or when the process is complex.

How does "the next step will be" differ from "the next step is"?

"The next step will be" implies a future action or intention, while "the next step is" suggests an action that is currently being undertaken or is immediately imminent. The former is more suitable when planning or outlining future actions, while the latter is apt when describing current or very near-term actions.