Pronunciation: /stɛp ɪn/

Definitions of step in

noun A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea.

Example Sentences

A1 I took a step in the right direction by applying for a new job.

A2 She hesitated before taking the first step in her journey.

B1 The first step in solving a problem is identifying the root cause.

B2 Before making a decision, it's important to consider every step in the process.

C1 His step in the negotiation process was crucial in reaching a compromise.

C2 The CEO's step in restructuring the company led to increased profitability.

verb A word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being.

Example Sentences

A1 Please step in and help me carry these boxes.

A2 I stepped in to mediate the argument between my friends.

B1 The new manager will step in and take over the project next week.

B2 As a seasoned professional, I know when to step in and offer my expertise.

C1 The government decided to step in and provide financial assistance to the struggling company.

C2 The CEO had to step in and make some tough decisions to turn the company around.

adjective A word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun.

Example Sentences

A1 Please step in and join us for the party.

A2 I need someone to step in and help me with this project.

B1 The new manager will step in and take over the team next week.

B2 She was asked to step in and mediate the dispute between the two parties.

C1 The CEO had to step in to resolve the major company crisis.

C2 The government decided to step in and provide financial assistance to the struggling industry.

adverb A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, indicating manner, time, place, or degree.

Example Sentences

A1 Please step in the puddle carefully.

A2 I saw a sign asking visitors to step in the designated area only.

B1 You can step in and help with the project if you have some free time.

B2 The manager decided to step in and resolve the conflict between the two employees.

C1 The government had to step in and provide financial assistance to the struggling industry.

C2 As a seasoned diplomat, she knew when to step in and mediate international disputes.

preposition A word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence.

Example Sentences

A1 I always ask my mom to step in and help me tie my shoes.

A2 When the teacher is absent, the substitute will step in to teach the class.

B1 The police had to step in to break up the fight between the two rival gangs.

B2 The CEO decided to step in and personally oversee the new project.

C1 The government had to step in to regulate the rapidly growing industry.

C2 The expert was called to step in and resolve the complex legal dispute.

article A word that is used to specify a noun as definite or indefinite.

Example Sentences

A1 Please step in and take off your shoes before entering the house.

A2 I asked my friend to step in and help me with my homework.

B1 The police had to step in to break up the fight.

B2 The government decided to step in and provide financial assistance to the struggling industry.

C1 The CEO had to step in and make some tough decisions to save the company.

C2 The mediator was called to step in and help resolve the conflict between the two parties.

Examples of step in in a Sentence

formal I had to step in and mediate the dispute between the two parties.

informal I decided to step in and help out with the project.

slang I saw the fight escalating so I had to step in and break it up.

figurative Sometimes you need to step in and take control of the situation.

Grammatical Forms of step in

past tense

stepped in

plural

steps in

comparative

more stepped in

superlative

most stepped in

present tense

steps in

future tense

will step in

perfect tense

have stepped in

continuous tense

is stepping in

singular

steps in

positive degree

stepped in

infinitive

to step in

gerund

stepping in

participle

stepping in

Origin and Evolution of step in

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The phrase 'step in' is derived from the combination of the word 'step' meaning to move by lifting one foot and putting it down in a different place, and the preposition 'in' indicating movement towards the interior of something.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in the context of physically entering a space or situation, the phrase 'step in' has evolved to also mean intervening or becoming involved in a situation or conversation.