changing the direction of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "changing the direction of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a shift in focus, strategy, or course of action in various contexts, such as business, personal development, or navigation. Example: "The company is changing the direction of its marketing strategy to better align with consumer preferences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One source said a particularly tense moment came when Claire Perry, the climate change minister, "went on a rant" about rightwingers changing the direction of Brexit policy.

The Guardian

I don't see him changing the direction of a company whose direction needs to be changed".

The New York Times

The intangibles include influencing policy, changing the direction of events, and helping others.

Harvard Business Review

Many commentators have argued that Francis is drastically changing the direction of the Catholic Church.

The Washington Post

Biological rotary motors can alter their mechanical function by changing the direction of rotary motion.

Nature

"It's more about changing the direction of my life," Ms. Desai said.

The New York Times - Arts

Changing the direction of a nation begins with changing the individual.

Harvard University

Phase transitions can be controlled by changing the direction of the interfacial magnetization.

Physics Letters A

"The president has made some enormous strides in changing the direction of our policies," senior adviser David Axelrod said.

The Washington Post

By changing the direction of the current, Peltier devices can be used to heat as well as cool.

The Economist

By changing the direction of magnetization within the system, the resistance could be greatly increased or reduced.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "changing the direction of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being redirected. Ambiguity can arise if the subject or object of the change is not explicit.

Common error

Avoid using "changing the direction of" when a simple adjustment or modification is more appropriate. Overstating the degree of change can create a false impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "changing the direction of" functions as a gerund phrase. It acts as a noun, describing the action of altering a course or trajectory. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English and it’s found across a diversity of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

27%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "changing the direction of" is a versatile gerund phrase used to describe a shift in course, strategy, or focus. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears frequently in news, science, and academic contexts and its authoritative use in sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian attests to its credibility. When using the phrase, ensure that the subject and object of the change are clear to avoid ambiguity. While the phrase is versatile, be mindful of overstating the degree of change when a simpler modification is more accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modifying the direction of

Replaces "changing" with "modifying", suggesting a less drastic alteration.

altering the course of

Substitutes "direction" with "course", emphasizing a planned path.

redirecting the path of

Uses "redirecting" and "path", focusing on navigation and guidance.

shifting the focus of

Emphasizes a change in attention or emphasis rather than a physical direction.

influencing the trajectory of

Highlights the act of affecting a projected course.

revising the strategy of

Focuses on a change in a plan or method.

transforming the approach to

Implies a more fundamental change in how something is handled.

adjusting the orientation of

Refers to altering alignment or perspective.

reversing the trend of

Suggests stopping or changing an existing pattern.

taking a new tack on

Implies a change in approach or method, often in response to a challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "changing the direction of" in a sentence?

You can use "changing the direction of" to describe a shift in strategy, policy, or physical movement. For example, "The new CEO is "changing the direction of" the company." or "By "changing the direction of" the car, I could pick up the radio signal again".

What are some alternatives to "changing the direction of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "modifying the direction of", "altering the course of", or "redirecting the path of".

Is it better to say "change the direction of" or "changing the direction of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have different uses. "Change the direction of" is an imperative or infinitive form, while "changing the direction of" is a gerund phrase, often used as a noun or part of a continuous verb tense.

In what contexts is "changing the direction of" most appropriate?

"Changing the direction of" is suitable in contexts where a deliberate alteration of course, strategy, or movement is being described. It's often used in business, politics, science, and personal development.