very good step

USAGE SUMMARY

"very good step" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe something that someone has done that is likely to result in positive effects and progress. For example: "Setting up a regular meeting with their colleague was a very good step towards improving relations between the two departments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"It's a very good step," Mr. Marlow said.

The New York Times

But I think we have taken a very good step.

The New York Times - Sports

"I played more against Jamie and he has a very good step.

The Guardian - Sport

Appointing Trevor Brooking is a very good step for the club.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is a very good effort, a very good step in the right direction," he said.

The New York Times

They are clever enough to understand that just for the business, it's a very good step.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Asked on Friday what had been achieved since Singapore, Sanders said there had been "very good steps in good faith from the North Koreans", but she added that pressure and sanctions would continue until "we see fully and verified denuclearization".

The Guardian

"On the other hand, it is important to the M.T.A. and to the public that we have a functional union, and the T.W.U. and the M.T.A. have taken some very good steps to rebuild our relationship".

The New York Times

"However, the contract with Arriva and this latest one from Firstgroup are very good steps along the way".

BBC

On the BBC's £2.1million pledge to improve BAME representation, he added: "It's a really good step, it's very positive but there's more work to do".

Independent

"This study is a very good first step, and an important one, but like any first step it should lead us to ask further questions about these injuries," said Brian Levine, a neuropsychologist at the Rotman Research Institute and the University of Toronto, who was not involved in the study.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very good step" when you want to emphasize that an action is not only good but also contributes significantly to progress towards a goal. Avoid using it for trivial actions.

Common error

While "very good step" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in informal conversations. Opt for simpler, more direct alternatives like "good job" or "that's great" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very good step" functions as an evaluative expression, often used to acknowledge and commend a beneficial action or decision. It emphasizes the positive nature and potential impact of a particular measure, suggesting progress or improvement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very good step" is a frequently used phrase to positively evaluate an action or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and versatile, suitable for a variety of contexts ranging from news reports to professional communications. While "very good step" is generally neutral, consider more precise alternatives for formal or scientific writing and simpler expressions for very informal contexts. Remember to use "very good step" to emphasize the positive impact of an action, motivating progress and improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

positive move

Implies a beneficial change or action, focusing on the positivity of the action.

commendable action

Highlights the praiseworthiness of the action, emphasizing its merit.

significant progress

Focuses on the advancement made, emphasizing the importance of the step.

worthwhile measure

Indicates that the action taken is valuable and beneficial.

advantageous development

Highlights the favorable outcome resulting from the step.

beneficial initiative

Emphasizes the helpful and proactive nature of the action.

laudable effort

Focuses on the deserving praise of the effort made.

welcome improvement

Highlights the positive change and its reception.

promising start

Suggests that the initial action is a good sign for future success.

encouraging sign

Emphasizes the hopeful nature of the action and its implications.

FAQs

How can I use "very good step" in a sentence?

You can use "very good step" to describe an action that is deemed positive and contributes to progress. For instance, "Implementing the new policy was a "very good step" towards improving efficiency".

What are some alternatives to saying "very good step"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "positive move", "significant progress", or "welcome improvement" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "very good step" in formal writing?

Yes, "very good step" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in reports or analyses where you are evaluating the impact of specific actions. However, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and register of your document.

What's the difference between "very good step" and "good start"?

"Very good step" implies a specific action that has been taken and is yielding positive results, whereas "good start" generally refers to the beginning of a process or initiative, suggesting potential for future success.