a ball towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a ball towards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the direction in which a ball is being thrown, kicked, or moved. Example: "He kicked a ball towards the goal, hoping to score."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Weiters cruses a ball towards the gap in right-center.

The Guardian - Sport

Di Maria, on the edge of the area, fizzes a ball towards the top left.

The Guardian - Sport

8.30pm BST 29 min: Giroud turns Senderos, 20 yards out, then blooters a ball towards the top-left corner.

The Guardian - Sport

Ichiro is up to more of his old tricks, hitting a ball towards Andino but the O's 2B is totally psyched out by his speed.

The Guardian - Sport

Newcastle scamper up the pitch through Sissoko, who skedaddles down the left, glides past Ramires, and fizzes a ball towards the bottom-left.

The Guardian - Sport

Hewitt grew frustrated after having a number of foot-faults called against him and at one point tapped a ball towards one judge he believed was unfairly victimising him.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"I see a ball coming towards him as he is on the course," says the mentalist.

The Guardian - Sport

He makes it into the area, and pulls a ball back towards Torres, but the in-form one-league-goal-in-a-row striker can't get anything going.

The Guardian - Sport

Zaha then drifted a ball in towards Murray, who fired into the side-netting from a narrow angle.

BBC

He took a touch and then knocked a high ball towards Giroud, who showed great strength to hold off Reid and Carroll, take the ball down and then ram a low finish past Adrian from close range!

The Guardian - Sport

Santiago Vergini shunted a loose ball towards the Italian, who took a decent touch before getting his feet into a frightful tangle.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing movement in sports or games, use "a ball towards" to clearly indicate the direction of the ball. Be specific about the target if possible, e.g., "a ball towards the goal".

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "the ball was moved towards," which can sound weak. Instead, use active constructions such as "he kicked a ball towards" for a more direct and impactful sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a ball towards" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating direction. It is used to describe the path or intended destination of a ball in various contexts, especially in sports. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academic

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a ball towards" correctly indicates direction and trajectory, as verified by Ludwig. While the expression is more often found in news, media, and wiki contexts, it maintains a neutral register that suits varied descriptive purposes. When writing, aim for active sentence structures for more impactful content, and be specific about the target of the ball's movement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this simple phrase holds clarity and value in describing movement involving a ball.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a ball in the direction of

Replaces "towards" with a longer prepositional phrase, maintaining the sense of direction but with slightly increased formality.

a ball aimed at

Substitutes "towards" with "aimed at", emphasizing intention and target precision.

a ball headed for

Replaces "towards" with "headed for", which is more descriptive and implies a trajectory.

a ball moving toward

Changes the preposition "towards" to "moving toward", providing a more active description.

a ball propelled toward

Adds the verb "propelled", indicating force and direction in a more formal tone.

a ball sent in the direction of

Expands the phrase for more descriptive detail, highlighting the action of sending the ball.

a ball that is approaching

Uses a relative clause to describe the ball's motion, shifting focus to the action of approaching.

a ball directed at

Emphasizes the deliberate action of directing the ball towards a specific target.

a pass targeted at

Specifically refers to a pass in sports, emphasizing the intended receiver.

a ball travelling toward

Uses "travelling" to emphasize the motion of the ball, providing a vivid description.

FAQs

How can I use "a ball towards" in a sentence?

Use "a ball towards" to describe the direction in which a ball is being moved or aimed. For example, "She kicked "a ball towards" the goal" or "He hit "a ball towards" the first base".

What are some alternatives to "a ball towards"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a ball in the direction of", "a ball aimed at", or "a ball headed for", depending on the specific context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "a ball towards" or "a ball toward"?

"Towards" is generally preferred in British English, while "toward" is more common in American English. Both are grammatically correct, so the choice depends on your audience and regional style preferences.

What's the difference between ""a ball towards"" and "a ball near"?

"A ball towards" indicates direction or motion in the direction of something, while "a ball near" indicates proximity or closeness. The first implies movement or trajectory, and the second describes location.