step by step vs step-by-step

Both "step by step" and "step-by-step" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Step by step" is used to describe a process or instructions that are done one at a time, while "step-by-step" is used as an adjective to describe something that is done in a gradual or systematic way.

Last updated: March 20, 2024 • 895 views

step by step

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe a process or instructions that are done one at a time.

Use "step by step" when describing a process or instructions that are followed one after another, in a sequence.

Examples:

She explained the math problem step by step.
The recipe was easy to follow, with instructions given step by step.

Alternatives:

gradually
sequentially
methodically
systematically
in a stepwise manner

step-by-step

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English as an adjective to describe something that is done in a gradual or systematic way.

Use "step-by-step" as an adjective to describe a process or action that is done in a gradual, systematic manner.

Examples:

She followed the step-by-step instructions to assemble the furniture.
The project was completed step-by-step, with each phase carefully planned.

Show examples from the web [+]

The Committee on Budgets therefore proposes a step-by-step readjustment of the own resources system.
Essentially, it does it by providing a smooth ramp of gradual step-by-step increment.
Above all, however, we need a step-by-step plan.
I wanted you to walk them through the bill step-by-step.
Silver and gold, step-by-step, the path unfolds.
We can go step-by-step through regionals and sectionals, All the way to nationals, building our routines.
They are essential in the step-by-step process of spreading the European vision, principles and requirements towards neighbouring third countries.
Given the number of sites which are likely to be contaminated, their identification requires a systematic step-by-step approach.
After a transitional period, the aim is to establish an area of free trade which should be achieved on a step-by-step basis.
The aim is the step-by-step liberalisation of trade between the EU and the partner regions or individual states.
Indeed, thanks to this step-by-step integration of Europe, considerable progress has been made, and no one can deny that.
The European Union should await the election results and respond towards Belarus accordingly, in line with a step-by-step policy.
It must motivate our partners to cooperate more closely with the Union and it must be dynamic and based on a structured, step-by-step approach.
We need to make step-by-step progress on many important files, and I refer in particular to the traffic and transport sector, which Mr Jarzembowski has already mentioned.
This too is possible in the Western Balkans, as is the step-by-step introduction of the change in visa policy, which Baroness Ludford has previously mentioned.
Member States are progressively learning how to cooperate with one another, but we need to go step-by-step.
In addition, there will be a gradual, step-by-step reduction in order to achieve a long-term target of 147 grams per kilometre by 2020.
These conclusions are hardly surprising, but they are not very helpful as a step-by-step solution to the backlog of problems in the European Union.
We have decided - I speak for my group in committee and here in Parliament - to approve and support this compromise, because the way to construct Europe is to advance step-by-step.
I agree with Mr Bontempi that this is about a step-by-step process, a process in which we deepen the specific cooperation, and at the same time work to coordinate our rules.

Alternatives:

gradually
systematically
methodically
in a stepwise manner
in a systematic way

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023
"Feel welcome, immediate response, high quality feedback"
martin.roy June 2023
"This is the best app that I have ever seen"
Burulai May 2023

step by step vs step-by-step

step by step

step-by-step

Related Comparisons

What Our Customers Are Saying