Meaning & use
the first step in
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
the initial action or stage that begins a process or series of actions.
Grammar: Followed by a noun or an -ing form: the first step in the plan, the first step in making a cake.
Patterns
- the first step in something
- the first step in doing something
- be the first step in something
Learning the alphabet is the first step in learning to read.
The first step in the experiment is to measure the temperature.
For many people, admitting the problem is the first step in finding a solution.
Common combinations
- the first step in the process
- Writing a plan is the first step in the process of starting a business.
- the first step in solving a problem
- Identifying the cause is the first step in solving a problem.
- the first step in a journey
- Buying a ticket is the first step in a journey.
- take the first step in
- She took the first step in changing her career by updating her resume.
Synonyms and how they differ
- the first stage of
- Similar meaning, but 'stage' often suggests a longer, more formal process with clear parts, while 'step' suggests a single action.
- the beginning of
- More general; it can refer to the start of anything, not just an action in a process.
Opposites
Commonly confused: the first step in or the first step of?
the first step in vs the first step of
'The first step of' is used for a physical step in a set of stairs or a stage in a series, but 'the first step in' is used for an action that begins a process.
Practice
_____ is often the first step in _____ a new language.
Choose one answer.
'The first step in' is followed by an -ing form when a verb is used, so 'learning' is correct in both positions. The other options use the wrong verb form.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the first step in”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.