are drifting to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are drifting to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual movement or change towards a particular state, place, or condition. Example: "As the seasons change, the leaves are drifting to the ground, creating a beautiful carpet of colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

THE British are drifting to the right.

The Economist

Thus, with each passing month, more of the unemployed are drifting to the fringes of the labour market than re-entering it.

The Economist

For now, even as the record companies clamp down on the upstarts in the courts, former Napster users are drifting to other file-swapping services: Aimster, Audiogalaxy, KaZaa or Gnutella and its offspring, such as BearShare and LimeWire.

The Economist

Euroscepticism is rising in Germany too, not just among voters who are drifting to the Eurosceptic Alternative für Deutschland party but also in bastions of the establishment such as the Bundesbank and the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

The Guardian - Opinion

The move by the justice secretary in the race to succeed David Cameron as prime minister is believed to be a way of trying to woo pro-Brexit MPs who are drifting to Leadsom, Gove's rival.

The Guardian

The Lib Dems think their rivals are drifting to the extremes, towards what Mr Clegg calls "the bitter tribalism of left and right".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The mobile sensors are drifted to the pipeline from the upstream station and transported by the fluid through the pipeline.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Xavi Hernández is drifting to the end in Qatar.

The New York Times - Sports

Britain is drifting to the exit door of the European Union".

The Guardian

The Russian literary community was drifting to Paris.

The New Yorker

We're drifting to that side of the Atlantic".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical movement with "are drifting to", ensure that the subject is something that can plausibly drift, like a boat or a cloud.

Common error

Avoid using "are drifting to" when describing static situations or locations. "The building is drifting to the sea" is incorrect because buildings are typically fixed. A more appropriate term would be "sinking into the sea".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are drifting to" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a process of gradual movement or change. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in describing shifts in opinions, physical locations, or even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are drifting to" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing gradual movements or shifts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral formality level. When writing, remember to use it for subjects capable of drifting and avoid static contexts. For alternative expressions, consider "are tending toward" or "are gravitating toward" to add nuance. While not overly common, the phrase is well-understood and serves its purpose effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are tending toward

Indicates a directional movement or inclination, similar to drifting, but implies a more intentional tendency.

are gravitating toward

Suggests a pull or attraction, implying that something is drawing the subject in a particular direction.

are shifting toward

Highlights a change in position or perspective, akin to drifting but with a stronger emphasis on change.

are moving in the direction of

More explicitly states a movement towards a specific direction or goal.

are heading in the direction of

Similar to moving towards, but emphasizes the direction or trajectory.

are progressing toward

Indicates a forward movement or advancement, similar to drifting but with a sense of progress.

are veering toward

Suggests a change in course or direction, similar to drifting but with a sharper turn.

are inclining toward

Implies a leaning or favoring of something, similar to drifting but with a stronger sense of preference.

are swinging toward

Suggests a pendulum-like movement or change in direction.

are sliding toward

Emphasizes a smooth, gradual movement, similar to drifting but with less control.

FAQs

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

You can use "are drifting to" to describe a gradual movement or shift. For example, "Voters "are drifting to" the left" indicates a change in political preference.

What are some alternatives to "are drifting to"?

Alternatives include "are tending toward", "are gravitating toward", or "are shifting toward", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "are drifting to" formal or informal?

"Are drifting to" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain academic or professional settings.

Can "are drifting to" describe both physical and abstract movement?

Yes, "are drifting to" can be used for both physical movement (e.g., "The boat "is drifting to" the shore") and abstract shifts (e.g., "Public opinion "is drifting to" a new consensus").