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.
If I were in charge, I would take steps to encourage people to use public transport instead of driving.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: We took steps for reduce costs.
Say: We took steps to reduce costs.
Take steps TO do something — to-infinitive, not 'for'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Take steps' is natural; 'undertake measures' is officialese.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
take steps to
- to
- necessary
- practical
- immediate