are directed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are directed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the intended audience or focus of a message, action, or document. Example: "The new policies are directed to improving employee satisfaction and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Many callers are directed to the Web site.

The New York Times

But they are directed to the audiences of their times.

The New York Times - Arts

Most government programs are directed to the most needy.

The New York Times

Short of initiating aggression, Muslims are directed to crush oppression with everything under their command.

The New York Times - Arts

Disabled diners are directed to a restaurant next door, Fiamma Osteria.

The New York Times - Food

But the idea that prayers are directed to this human form, rather than God, is radical.

The Guardian - Books

(Hawaiian officials are directed to "give consideration to the 'Aloha spirit' " as they discharge their duties).

The New Yorker

The police are directed to report those without proper identification to federal immigration authorities.

The New York Times

My bodily sensations are directed to my body and my emotion is directed to my son.

The New York Times - Books

People who visit it are directed to the books they need.

The New Yorker

Visitors to the Egghead site now are directed to Amazon's electronics store.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are directed to", ensure clarity about who or what is doing the directing. Specifying the agent enhances the sentence's precision and impact.

Common error

While "are directed to" is a passive construction, avoid using it excessively. Active voice often makes your writing more direct and engaging. Consider whether you can rephrase the sentence to highlight the actor rather than the recipient of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are directed to" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject receives the action of being guided, instructed, or channeled towards a specific destination or purpose. Ludwig shows examples across various contexts where this passive construction is utilized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are directed to" is a common and grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to indicate guidance or instruction towards a specific target. As Ludwig highlights, it's used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific writing. While grammatically correct, it's important to be mindful of passive voice overuse and consider active voice alternatives where appropriate. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are guided towards

Emphasizes guidance or leading in a specific direction.

are channeled into

Suggests a more forceful or deliberate redirection of resources or efforts.

are routed to

Implies a predetermined path or system for directing something.

are funneled to

Similar to 'channeled', but often used when referring to resources or funding.

are pointed toward

Indicates a recommendation or suggestion of a direction.

are referred to

Highlights a recommendation to consult something or someone else.

are instructed to

Focuses on the aspect of being given specific commands or orders.

are assigned to

Suggests a formal allocation of responsibility or task.

are predisposed to

Highlights natural inclination or tendency toward a certain outcome.

are inclined to

Indicates a preference or leaning toward something, but less forceful than 'predisposed'.

FAQs

How can I use "are directed to" in a sentence?

You can use "are directed to" to show where someone or something is being guided or instructed. For example, "Visitors "are directed to" the information desk upon arrival."

What is a synonym for "are directed to"?

A synonym for "are directed to" could be "are guided towards", "are channeled into", or "are pointed toward", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "direct"?

While "are directed to" (passive) is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more concise and direct. For instance, instead of "Applications "are directed to" the HR department", you could say "Please direct applications to the HR department."

What's the difference between "are directed to" and "are instructed to"?

"Are directed to" implies guidance or routing, while "are instructed to" emphasizes specific commands or orders. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight guidance or mandatory action.