be steered on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be steered on" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of being guided or directed, but it is not a commonly used expression. Example: "He felt he could be steered on the right path by his mentor."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

His principled liberalism has won few friends in a starkly divided country, but his decision to join the army-backed government that replaced Mr Morsi raised hopes that it could be steered on to a moderate course.

The Economist

Commercials can be steered on a household-by-household basis; the house at 1313 Mockingbird Lane or 5133 Kensington Ave.

The New York Times

I can see a whole class over two lessons and can differentiate the timing of my feedback, as some students need to be left to work independently for longer and others need to be steered on track much earlier.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Sterling won a penalty, Jesus's effort from the spot was steered on to the post via a Fabianski palm, and Bernardo Silva slotted in the rebound.

The Guardian - Sport

4.55am GMT 140.2 overs (143 overs to bowl): England 305-9 A high full toss from Boult is steered on the bounce to slip.

The Guardian - Sport

Rosetta, however, will continue to carry out scientific measurements in orbit around comet 67P until September, when it will be steered to land on the surface as well.

The Guardian

If the drill bit has strayed, it can be steered back on course by several means, one of which uses pressure pads against the well bore to change the bit's direction.

The New York Times - Science

Antilock brakes are designed to resist locking up when applied hard, allowing a car to be steered safely on icy or wet roads.

The New York Times

"If the earth is covered with water, why do you need a keel?" (It's just as well that the ark can't be steered — earlier this year, on a break from shooting, Crowe had to call the Coast Guard when he got stranded after dark while kayaking in Long Island Sound. They didn't recognize him with his patriarchal beard).

The New Yorker

Time and time again, in films like Jason Reitman's Juno, abortion is depicted as a hazard to be steered around on the road to redemption, despite the fact that almost a third of US women aged 15-64 have undergone the procedure, and presumably at least a few of them are cinemagoers.

The Guardian - Film

The product ratios between these organics could be steered based on operational pH and HRTs.

Journal of CO2 Utilization

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "be steered on" appears in some contexts, consider using alternatives like "be guided along" or "be directed towards" for clearer and more standard English.

Common error

Avoid using "on" after "steered" when referring to direction. Opt for prepositions like "towards" or "into" for better clarity and grammatical accuracy. For example, use "be steered towards a goal" instead of "be steered on a goal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be steered on" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that something or someone is being guided or directed. However, Ludwig AI notes that it is not considered correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be steered on" is used to convey the idea of being guided or directed, but Ludwig AI indicates it is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. While it appears in various sources, including news and scientific contexts, alternative phrases such as "be guided along" or "be directed towards" are recommended for clarity and grammatical accuracy. Its usage frequency is rare, and it is best to avoid it in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be guided along

Focuses on the act of being led or directed in a continuous manner.

be directed towards

Emphasizes the destination or goal to which something is being guided.

be influenced towards

Highlights the impact of an external force on a decision or action.

be channeled into

Suggests a more forceful or intentional redirection of energy or resources.

be oriented around

Implies a focus or alignment with a central point or idea.

be navigated through

Focuses on the process of maneuvering through a complex situation or environment.

be shepherded along

Conveys a sense of gentle guidance and care.

be vectored onto

Suggests a precise and calculated redirection, often in a technical context.

be impelled towards

Highlights the driving force or motivation behind a particular direction.

be coaxed toward

Implies a gentle and persuasive approach to influencing direction.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be steered on" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives like "be guided along", "be directed towards", or "be influenced towards" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "be steered on"?

Phrases such as "be guided by" or "be influenced by" offer grammatically stronger alternatives, providing clearer connections between the subject and the guiding force.

Is "be steered on" considered standard English?

While the phrase "be steered on" appears in some contexts, it is not considered standard English. Alternatives like "be steered towards" or "be steered into" are more common and grammatically sound.

In what situations might "be steered on" be acceptable?

Although not standard, "be steered on" might be acceptable in informal contexts or specific technical domains where it has gained some usage. However, for formal writing, it's best to use more established phrases like "be directed on" or "be guided on".