are directed on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are directed on" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct preposition should be "at" or "toward" depending on the context. Example: "The efforts are directed at improving community health."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Having a single focus helps you reach your goal faster because all of your energies are directed on one task.

Huffington Post

Even cyclists heading for the official Games parking area are directed on a half-mile diversion through this junction.

The Guardian

"Our energies are directed on the rebuilding process and we are confident that we will return to financial stability and profitable revenue growth," Mr. Allaire said.

The New York Times

The further researches are directed on perfection of algorithms of self-organizing.

Procedia Computer Science

Temperature treatments in the dairy industry are directed on preservartion and pre-treatment of a number of products.

Chemical Engineering Science

Nowadays, the efforts of researchers are directed on the selection of modifiers that would expand the functionality of TiO2 coatings without reducing their photocatalytic activity.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

In the supine patient the pressure of the abdominal contents is directed on the diaphragm in a cephelad direction.

Critical Care

Most people were directed on to their websites through Google.

The Guardian

The abuse, however, was directed on an individual basis and never officially sanctioned or approved...

The New York Times

Two Basra provincial government officials said they were directed on 25 November to coordinate with local hospitals.

The Guardian

Visitors to the Google site were directed on Monday to a forum post that explained the site would be unavailable for editing until a solution could be found.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the direction of efforts or attention, prefer the phrases "are aimed at" or "are focused on" instead of the non-standard "are directed on".

Common error

Avoid using the preposition "on" after "directed" when indicating the target of efforts or actions. Instead, use "at" or "toward" to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are directed on" functions as a passive construction where actions or efforts are being channeled towards a specific object or goal. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the standard and more grammatically correct phrasing uses "at" or "toward" instead of "on".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "are directed on" appears in various contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect due to the improper use of the preposition "on". Standard English prefers "are directed at" or "are directed toward" to accurately convey the direction of actions or efforts. Although common, particularly in scientific and news-related content, it's advisable to use grammatically sound alternatives such as "are focused on" or "are aimed at" to ensure clarity and precision in writing. Therefore, while its meaning may be understood, adhering to proper grammar enhances credibility and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are focused on

This alternative emphasizes a concentration of effort or attention. It's a straightforward substitute with a higher degree of acceptance.

are aimed at

This alternative suggests a specific target or goal, replacing "on" with "at" for grammatical correctness.

are targeted at

Similar to "are aimed at", this phrase highlights a specific target but implies a more deliberate action.

are concentrated on

Similar to "are focused on", but emphasizes the density or intensity of the concentration.

are geared toward

This alternative indicates that something is designed or organized to achieve a particular purpose.

are centered on

This phrase suggests that something is the main point or focus of attention.

are oriented toward

This phrase suggests a general direction or tendency, implying a less specific target than "are aimed at".

are channeled into

This alternative emphasizes the routing or directing of resources or efforts into a specific area.

are brought to bear on

This alternative implies the application of force or influence to achieve a specific result.

are brought to focus

This variant highlights efforts to clarify or concentrate attention on a specific issue.

FAQs

What is the correct preposition to use with "are directed"?

The correct prepositions to use with "are directed" are "at" or "toward", depending on the context. For example, "efforts are directed at solving the problem" or "resources are directed toward finding a solution."

What can I say instead of "are directed on"?

You can use alternatives like "are focused on", "are aimed at", or "are geared toward" to express a similar meaning with better grammatical accuracy.

Is "are directed on" grammatically correct?

No, "are directed on" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The correct usage involves prepositions such as "at" or "toward".

How can I avoid using "are directed on" in my writing?

Rephrase your sentence to use more common and grammatically sound alternatives such as "are centered on", "are concentrated on", or simply rewrite the sentence to avoid the passive construction altogether.