very serious step

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very serious step" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or decision that carries significant weight or importance, often implying that it should be taken with caution. Example: "Deciding to move to a new country is a very serious step that requires careful consideration of various factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

That is a very serious step to take in British jurisprudence.

The Guardian - Opinion

After that, "the claimant was suspended, a very serious step to take particularly for a very senior manager, and disciplinary action commenced as reaction to the claimant's grievances.

The Guardian

But don't let the bright lights, smoke and more than a few handstands fool you: the Q50 sport sedan is a very serious step for the Infiniti brand's goals of improving sales and refining its image.

The New York Times

The letter says: "Endorsing a policy that would encourage the blocking of websites by UK broadband providers or other internet companies is a very serious step for the UK to take.

The Guardian - Tech

With all that in its past, "we believe this is a very, very serious step to lose the shell that has defined the Bowl for 71 years," Mr. Bernstein said.

The New York Times

Councillor Lynne Thompson, Cabinet Member for Performance and Value for Public Money, said: "This is a very serious step and one that we do not take lightly, but it is also unavoidable as we face up to the well-documented financial pressures affecting the budgets of every single UK local authority.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"These are very serious steps toward the production of more weapons-grade plutonium, but they are also very determined attempts to get us to talk," said Donald P. Gregg, a former C.I.A. Asia expert and former ambassador to South Korea.

The New York Times

He earlier warned of "very serious steps" if Russia annexes the region.

BBC

"You have to be pretty brain dead to be involved in film at this time and not realize that we are going through a very serious evolutionary step in how we acquire images," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

Sergei Ryabkov, Russia's deputy foreign minister, said a unilateral U.S. withdrawal from the pact "would be a very dangerous step" that would "provoke serious condemnation" from the international community. .

Huffington Post

"This is a very serious and unusual step to take but is necessary to ensure that the interests of the genuine candidates and voters are protected, and that the election can take place on May 3. "The nomination paper for Helena Torry was submitted shortly before the close of nominations on March 3 and contained all the information required by statute for a valid nomination.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very serious step", ensure the context clearly conveys the potential consequences or significance of the action being described. Provide supporting details to emphasize the weight of the decision.

Common error

Avoid using "very serious step" when the situation's gravity is already apparent. Overusing intensifiers weakens the impact. Opt for more concise phrasing like "critical decision" when the seriousness is implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very serious step" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "serious" modifies the noun "step", and "very" intensifies the adjective. As Ludwig AI confirms, this structure is grammatically sound and usable in English. It's commonly used to describe a decision or action of significant importance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

16%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very serious step" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to describe an action or decision with significant potential consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from various sources, predominantly news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that the context emphasizes the gravity of the situation, and consider alternative phrasings like "significant undertaking" or "momentous decision" for nuanced communication. Overstating the obvious should be avoided by using concise phrasings like "critical decision" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

momentous decision

Highlights the importance and potential impact of the choice.

grave measure

Emphasizes the somber and potentially far-reaching consequences.

significant undertaking

Replaces 'step' with a more encompassing term, focusing on the effort involved.

major undertaking

Similar to 'significant undertaking', but with a stronger emphasis on scale.

substantial move

Indicates a considerable change or action being taken.

vital initiative

Emphasizes the essential nature and proactive aspect of the action.

critical juncture

Shifts the focus to the point in time where a crucial decision must be made.

considerable endeavor

Highlights the effort and determination involved.

weighty consideration

Focuses on the thoughtful deliberation required.

important action

A more straightforward and general alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "very serious step" to describe a significant action or decision with potential consequences. For example: "Implementing these new regulations is a "very serious step" that could impact the entire industry."

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

Alternatives include "significant undertaking", "momentous decision", or "critical juncture", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "very serious step" too strong of a phrase to use in formal writing?

While "very serious step" is acceptable, consider the specific context. In some cases, a more formal alternative like "grave measure" or "weighty consideration" might be more appropriate for formal writing.

What's the difference between a "serious step" and a "very serious step"?

Adding "very" intensifies the level of seriousness. While both phrases indicate a significant action, "very serious step" emphasizes the higher degree of potential consequences or importance. Thus is a question of gradation of the concept of seriousness.