are working towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are working towards" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a collective group of people striving to obtain a common goal. For example, "The members of the charity organization are working towards providing clean drinking water to underprivileged communities around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are working towards that".

Independent

We are working towards it.

The New York Times

British officials are working towards this.

Independent

"We are working towards a swift solution.

The Guardian

Nearly 100 are working towards accreditation.

The Guardian

This is the goal we are working towards.

The Guardian

We are working towards building really strong prosecutions".

The Guardian

Use a class reward tally chart so that the class are working towards a common goal.

The Guardian

We are working towards an assessment on the ground as soon as the security situation permits.

The Guardian

While his friends are working towards their finals, his life is on hold.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I like to think that the Liberal Democrats are working towards government.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are working towards" to convey a sense of progress and forward momentum, especially when describing long-term projects or initiatives.

Common error

Ensure the object after "towards" is specific. Saying "We are working towards improvement" lacks clarity. Instead, specify what improvements are being targeted, such as "We are working towards improving customer service response times".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are working towards" functions as a verbal phrase indicating ongoing effort or progress in the direction of a specific goal. It describes actions being taken to achieve a defined outcome. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, from achieving universal health coverage to improving care and awareness of diseases.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are working towards" is a versatile and commonly used verbal phrase that signifies ongoing effort towards a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily in news, science, and formal business settings. When using "are working towards", ensure the target goal is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases, such as "are striving for" or "are aiming at", can add nuance depending on the specific intention. By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate progress and direction in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are striving for

Emphasizes the effort and ambition involved in pursuing a goal.

are aiming at

Highlights the target or objective of the effort.

are endeavoring to

Implies a serious and determined attempt to achieve something.

are progressing toward

Focuses on the advancement and movement in the direction of the goal.

are moving towards

Similar to progressing, but can also describe less concrete movement.

are pursuing

Highlights the act of following or seeking a particular objective.

are dedicated to

Emphasizes commitment and focus on a specific aim.

are committed to

Indicates a firm decision to work towards a specific goal.

are acting to achieve

Stresses the actions taken to accomplish a certain goal.

are taking steps toward

Focuses on the incremental actions taken to reach a goal.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are working towards" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "are striving for", "are endeavoring to", or "are dedicated to".

What's a more casual way to say "are working towards"?

In informal contexts, you could say "are aiming at" or "are moving towards" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "are working towards" and "are working on"?

"Are working towards" implies a specific goal or outcome, while "are working on" is more general and can refer to any task or project. For example, "We are working towards a promotion" (goal-oriented) vs. "We are working on a new project" (task-oriented).

How do I ensure the goal is clear when using "are working towards"?

Follow "are working towards" with a specific and measurable objective. Instead of "are working towards success", say "are working towards increasing sales by 15%".