will step down

USAGE SUMMARY

"will step down" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is generally used to describe someone leaving a position of power or authority. Example: After 20 years as CEO, John announced that he will step down at the end of the year to spend more time with his family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I will step down," she offered.

The New Yorker

Jordan will step down in December.

The Washington Post

He will step down later this week.

The New York Times

Early next year, Lord Ashdown will step down.

The Economist

He will step down on September17.

The Guardian

Mr Johnson will step down as London Mayor in 2016.

Independent

Bob Dudley will step down as TNK-BP's chief executive.

The Economist

She will step down from the insurer's board.

The New York Times

Mr. Voser will step down as chief executive in 2014.

The New York Times

He will step down at the end of next week.

The New York Times - Health

He will step down at an annual general shareholders meeting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will step down" when referring to a planned or expected departure from a position of authority or responsibility. Ensure the context clearly indicates the position being vacated and the timing of the departure.

Common error

Avoid using "will step down" to describe a past event. Use "stepped down" for completed actions in the past, or "is stepping down" for present actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will step down" functions as a verb phrase indicating a future action. It describes someone's intention or plan to leave a position, typically one of authority or leadership. Ludwig AI validates the correct and common usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

22%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "will step down" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a future departure from a position, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in News & Media and Academia contexts. While generally neutral, its formality can be adjusted with synonyms like "will resign" or "will relinquish duties". When writing, ensure correct tense usage (avoid using it for past events) and consider the specific nuance you want to convey. The frequent use of this phrase in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its acceptance in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will resign

Replaces "step down" with a more formal term indicating a voluntary relinquishment of a position.

will leave office

Specifies that the departure involves a formal office or position.

will relinquish duties

Emphasizes the act of giving up responsibilities associated with the position.

will vacate the post

Highlights the action of making the position empty or available.

will retire

Indicates that the departure is due to retirement from professional life.

will make way for

Suggests that the departure is to allow someone else to take over the position.

will transition out of

Implies a gradual departure or handover of responsibilities.

will be succeeded by

Focuses on the person who will take over the position after the departure.

will pass the torch

Figurative language indicating the passing of leadership or responsibility to a successor.

will bow out

An informal way of saying someone will leave a position, often implying a graceful exit.

FAQs

What does "will step down" mean?

The phrase "will step down" means that someone is planning to resign or leave their position, typically one of authority or leadership, at a future point in time.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "will step down"?

It's appropriate to use "will step down" when discussing a future departure from a role. For past departures, use "stepped down". Use "is stepping down" for current departures.

What are some alternative phrases for "will step down"?

You can use alternatives such as "will resign", "will leave office", or "will retire", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "will step down" formal or informal?

"Will step down" is considered a relatively neutral phrase that can be used in both formal and informal contexts. More formal alternatives include phrases like "will relinquish duties".