a drift toward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a drift toward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual change or movement in a particular direction, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "There has been a noticeable drift toward more sustainable practices in the industry over the past few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Those heroic positions … caused an understandable, if misguided, overreaction within the party–a drift toward identity politics, toward special pleading.

The New York Times

There will be, however, a drift toward more tolerance.

The New York Times

In contrast to last year, the six-day event began with a drift toward the center.

The New York Times

The president quickly said that the military buildup he was proposing was meant to prevent a drift toward war.

The New York Times

Robert is the problem, turning aggressively possessive of Sam and threatened by what increasingly becomes a drift toward a new family alignment.

The New York Times

Minutes of high-level meetings released today show that President Nixon feared that the election of Mr. Allende could set off a drift toward Communism in South America.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

At the same time, the United States has reasonably concluded that it cannot afford to ignore the pleas of its allies in Asia or allow an incremental drift toward a more volatile state of play.

The New Yorker

The Cypriots were traditionally a largely rural people, but a steady drift toward towns began in the early 20th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For the TV and video world, the iSlate would drive a further drift toward personalized, on-demand content, delivered on a very close-up platform (prop it on your tummy while reclined on a couch?).

Huffington Post

Or is it more of a lemminglike drift toward self-annihilation?

The New York Times

There has been a general drift toward lower rates over time.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a drift toward" to describe gradual shifts in trends, opinions, or policies over time. For example, "There's a drift toward more remote work options in the tech industry."

Common error

Avoid using "a drift toward" when describing sudden or immediate changes. This phrase is best suited for gradual, long-term developments, not abrupt shifts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a drift toward" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a gradual change or movement in a specific direction. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing shifts in politics, technology, and societal trends. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a drift toward" effectively describes a gradual shift or movement in a particular direction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, followed by science. When using this phrase, remember to focus on trends and long-term developments rather than sudden changes. Consider alternatives like "a shift toward" or "a tendency toward" depending on the specific context you wish to convey. Overall, "a drift toward" is a useful phrase for describing evolving tendencies in society, politics, or other areas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shift towards

Emphasizes a change in direction, often implying a more deliberate or noticeable movement.

a tendency towards

Highlights a leaning or inclination in a specific direction, suggesting a natural predisposition.

a move towards

Implies a conscious action or decision to progress in a particular direction.

an inclination towards

Similar to 'tendency', but may suggest a weaker or less defined leaning.

a slide towards

Suggests a gradual and often unwanted movement, possibly implying a loss of control.

a progression towards

Emphasizes the step-by-step nature of the movement.

a turn towards

Highlights a change in orientation or focus.

a swing towards

Suggests a movement that is less linear and possibly subject to change.

an evolution towards

Indicates a gradual and natural development over time.

a development towards

Focuses on the unfolding and growth aspect of the movement or change.

FAQs

How can I use "a drift toward" in a sentence?

Use "a drift toward" to describe a gradual change or movement in a particular direction. For example, "There has been "a drift toward" more sustainable practices in the industry."

What phrases are similar to "a drift toward"?

Similar phrases include "a shift toward", "a tendency toward", or "a move toward". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a drift towards" or "a drift toward"?

"A drift toward" is generally preferred in American English, while "a drift towards" is acceptable, although less common, especially in British English. The meaning remains the same.

What's the difference between "a drift toward" and "a shift toward"?

"A drift toward" suggests a gradual, almost imperceptible change, while ""a shift toward"" can imply a more deliberate or noticeable change in direction.