walking down the steps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "walking down the steps" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of descending a staircase or a set of steps. Example: "She was walking down the steps when she tripped and nearly fell."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The men had been seen walking down the steps into the subway two blocks away.

The New York Times

Walking down the steps at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., after attending a seminar.

Yale University

One described seeing Houser walking down the steps, firing rounds at victims before shooting himself in the head.

The Guardian

A man walking down the steps to the subway stopped, looked at the front page, chuckled and said, "Perfect".

The New York Times - Sports

"I think they like that," he said, walking down the steps to the sunken living room to admire the fish from another angle.

The New York Times

Friendly Headlocks Elliott Naishtat, a Democratic member of the state House of Representatives, was walking down the steps of the Texas Capitol one day.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

He walked down the steps anyway, occasionally leaning on his walking stick.

The New Yorker

We walk down the steps.

The Guardian - Music

They walked down the steps without talking.

The New Yorker

No. 16 walked down the steps of the church.

The New York Times

From City Hall, walk down the steps toward Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "walking down the steps" when you want to specifically describe the action of someone descending a set of steps, emphasizing the manner of movement.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who is performing the action. Instead of "The steps were walked down", specify who was "walking down the steps".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "walking down the steps" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a descriptive element within a sentence. It vividly portrays the action of descending a set of steps. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

10%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "walking down the steps" is a grammatically correct and frequently used gerund phrase that describes the action of descending a set of steps. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is both correct and easily integrated into various contexts. It maintains a neutral tone, suitable for both formal and informal settings. While prominently featured in News & Media, it is less common in specialized domains such as scientific writing. Related phrases offer varied ways to express the same action, each with subtle differences in connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

walking down the staircase

Synonymous with "walking down the steps", but employs the word "staircase" for a slightly different tone.

descending the steps

Uses a more formal verb "descending" to indicate the action of going down.

descending the staircase

Replaces the more common term "steps" with "staircase", implying a grander or more formal setting.

coming down the stairs

Highlights movement from a higher to a lower level using "stairs" instead of "steps".

moving down the steps

Replaces "walking" with "moving", a more general term for locomotion.

going downstairs

Focuses on the destination rather than the specific action of walking.

making their way down the steps

Adding additional context by using "making their way", suggesting intent or effort.

stepping down

A more concise way of expressing the action of moving downwards, potentially in a figurative sense.

taking the stairs down

Implies a conscious choice to use the stairs as a means of descent.

proceeding down the steps

Imparts a sense of formality or planned movement.

FAQs

How can I use "walking down the steps" in a sentence?

You can use "walking down the steps" to describe someone descending a staircase. For example, "She was "walking down the steps" when she tripped."

What are some alternatives to "walking down the steps"?

Alternatives include "descending the steps", "going downstairs", or "coming down the stairs" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "walking down the steps"?

No, the phrase "walking down the steps" is grammatically correct and widely accepted. However, you might choose a different phrase like "descending the staircase" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "walking down the steps" and "walking down the staircase"?

While both phrases describe the same action, "walking down the staircase" often suggests a more elaborate or formal set of stairs compared to "walking down the steps".