step-by-step
step-by-step — adjective
1. Designed or carried out in a planned series of stages, where each stage builds c
Designed or carried out in a planned series of stages, where each stage builds clearly on the one before it.
The repair booklet has clear step-by-step instructions with helpful pictures.
attributive use: step-by-step + noun
Caleb learned woodworking through step-by-step video lessons available online.
Reema created a step-by-step plan for moving to her new apartment across town.
The nursing team used a step-by-step checklist before discharging each patient.
- gradual
focuses on slowness of change rather than a planned order of stages
- sequential
more formal; emphasises logical order without implying ease or clarity
文法句型
step-by-step + noun
用法筆記
Used only before a noun (attributive position). When the same idea is used as an adverb, the hyphens are removed: 'We solved the problem step by step.'
常見錯誤
step-by-step — idiom
1. Taking one action or stage at a time in a set order, without trying to handle ev
Taking one action or stage at a time in a set order, without trying to handle everything at once.
Amira learned the new dance routine step by step, practising one movement each day.
adverbial use: learn/do + step by step
Ari explained the maths problem step by step until his younger sister understood it.
Elena built her online store step by step, adding one product category at a time.
Xiu studied for the exam step by step, reviewing one chapter every evening.
- gradually
emphasises slowness rather than a clear sequence of stages
- one by one
applies to individual items rather than stages of a process
- all at once
doing everything simultaneously, without a planned order
文法句型
verb + step by step
用法筆記
The hyphens are dropped when the phrase acts as an adverb (step by step, not step-by-step). This phrase is especially common with verbs of learning, explaining, building, and progressing.