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Grammar fix

take steps

do things to achieve something

to do things in order to make something happen or to deal with a problem

collocationB2common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • The school needs to take steps to improve student safety.daily life
  • If I were in charge, I would take steps to encourage people to use public transport instead of driving.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: take steps (to do something)

WrongWe took steps for reduce costs.

RightWe took steps to reduce costs.

Take steps TO do something — to-infinitive, not 'for'.

Patterntake steps (to do something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The government must undertake measures to address the issue.

Natural The government needs to take steps to fix it.

'Take steps' is natural; 'undertake measures' is officialese.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • take steps to
    tonecessarypracticalimmediate

Don't confuse it

Different from 'take a step', which means to move your foot forward.

Try it in Daily Speak →