build toward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "build toward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe working towards a goal, such as: We need to build toward our goal of reaching 10,000 subscribers by the end of the month.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You try to build toward that.

The New York Times - Sports

You build toward playing better.

The New York Times - Sports

"A line will gain momentum and build toward a delivery.

The New Yorker

The whispers are beginning to build toward a bold crescendo.

The New York Times - Sports

The narrative isn't shaped coherently to bring out contrasts and build toward a satisfying climax.

The New Yorker

As the sense of danger increases, he has nothing to build toward.

The New Yorker

But de Waal can also be a slippery writer, disinclined to build toward a larger argument.

The New Yorker

That all these guys would come together and build toward the future, and we did that".

The New York Times - Sports

"But it motivated me throughout last summer to build toward something this season.

The New York Times - Sports

"Now we have the reviews, and we want to carefully build toward a long commercial run".

The New York Times

These two projects build toward Tesla's third vehicle, a $30,000 all-electric family sedan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "build toward", clearly define the end goal you are working towards to give your writing focus and purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "build toward" without specifying a clear objective. Vague statements can leave the reader confused about the intended outcome of the building process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "build toward" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of making incremental progress or development in a specific direction or toward a defined goal. Ludwig's examples illustrate this use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "build toward" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that effectively conveys the idea of making incremental progress towards a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. The phrase finds frequent application across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and scientific writing. To maximize clarity, always specify the objective you are "build toward". By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can leverage "build toward" to communicate intentionality and direction in achieving desired outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work towards

Emphasizes effort and labor directed at achieving a goal.

strive for

Highlights ambition and the challenging nature of the pursuit.

progress towards

Focuses on gradual development and measured steps.

advance to

Suggests moving forward in stages or ranks.

develop into

Implies a transformation or evolution over time.

aim for

Highlights the specific target or objective.

move in the direction of

Emphasizes the general path and orientation.

head in the direction of

Highlights the intention towards a direction.

gear up for

Focuses on preparation and readiness for an event or task.

cultivate for

Implies careful nurturing and fostering of growth.

FAQs

How can I use "build toward" in a sentence?

You can use "build toward" to indicate progress and effort directed towards a specific goal, such as: "We need to "work towards" our goal of reaching 10,000 subscribers by the end of the month".

What are some alternatives to "build toward"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as ""work towards"", "strive for", or "progress towards".

Is it better to say "build toward" or "building towards"?

Both "build toward" and "building towards" are grammatically correct. "Build toward" is often used in more formal or general contexts, while "building towards" may be used to describe an ongoing process.

What is the difference between "build toward" and "move toward"?

"Build toward" implies a more active and intentional process of constructing something that leads to a specific outcome, whereas "move toward" suggests a general directional shift or progression.