deflect towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deflect towards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the action of redirecting something, such as attention or a physical object, in a specific direction. Example: "The shield was designed to deflect towards incoming projectiles, ensuring maximum protection."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Such local load can significantly deflect towards the aft end of aft stern tube bearing in case that the shaft sags down, when the eccentric thrust force acts downward due to the propeller force in the hydrodynamic transient status.

Measurement

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Then Jeff Carter shoots, it's deflected towards Toffoli but he's taken down by Boyle - no penalty.

The Guardian - Sport

Bolton continued to press and Marshall did well to dive and tip away a Baptiste cross that had deflected towards his goal, before Danns cracked a shot wide.

Independent

When Fraser was slid in by Mackie two minutes after coming on, his low cross was deflected towards goal, forcing Craig Samson to desperately palm away.

The Guardian - Sport

On some models, the scanning device consists of the equivalent of a television camera whose electron beam is selectively deflected towards the chosen matrix and directly analyzes the luminous information coming from it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Deflected towards Saturn's moon Titan, Voyager 1 would head out of the plane of the solar system and off in the direction of the northern constellation of Camelopardalis.

The Guardian

He may also like to let the occasional hostile feelings of ordinary Iranians for the government be deflected towards the president.So it is unclear how the two top men really feel about each other or whether, for instance, Mr Khamenei will back Mr Ahmadinejad next summer if he seeks re-election as president.

The Economist

A frenetic opening yielded to a more composed approach and Ki Sung-yeung forced a fine low save from Belgium's Chelsea goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, with a 30-yard drive before Defour was forced to hack off the line as a cross was deflected towards his own goal by Mousa Dembélé.

The Guardian - Sport

If it was a shame that his first win should come in a week when minds had been deflected towards matters of greater gravity, then he may be consoled by the belief that there will surely be many more chances to celebrate without restraint.

The Guardian - Sport

In the P-state, all the CRs having been ejected from the specified region in the above are deflected towards the Sun.

Earth, Planets and Space

Chelsea began the second period on the offensive and were almost rewarded when Eden Hazard's cut-back deflected towards goal off El Ahmadi, requiring Guzan to claw clear.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deflect towards" when you want to emphasize a change in direction caused by an external force or influence, either physically or figuratively.

Common error

Avoid using "deflect towards" when a simple change of direction is intended. Use more direct alternatives like "turn towards" or "shift to" for voluntary movements or changes in focus.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deflect towards" is a verb phrase acting as a predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of something being redirected or diverted in a specific direction. Ludwig examples show its use in both physical and abstract contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "deflect towards" is a grammatically sound and usable verb phrase that describes the action of redirecting something in a specific direction. While relatively uncommon, as confirmed by Ludwig, it appears in various contexts including science, news, and general writing. Ludwig AI highlights the diverse examples showing that it can be used both physically and figuratively. When using this phrase, remember that it indicates an external force causing the change in direction rather than a deliberate or intentional action. Consider using alternative phrases like "redirect to" or "divert to" when a simpler change of direction is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deflect in the direction of

Uses a more descriptive way to indicate where something is directed.

redirect to

Emphasizes changing the course to a specific destination.

divert to

Implies drawing something away from its original path to a different one.

turn aside to

Suggests a movement away from a main path for a short time or distance.

shift toward

Indicates a gradual change in direction or preference.

turn in the direction of

Uses a more descriptive way to indicate where something is turned.

veer toward

Describes a sudden change in direction, often unexpectedly.

incline toward

Suggests a leaning or predisposition in a particular direction.

bend towards

Implies curving or angling in the direction of something.

angle towards

Describes positioning something at an angle directed at something else.

FAQs

How to use "deflect towards" in a sentence?

The phrase "deflect towards" describes the action of something being redirected in a specific direction due to an external force or influence. For example, "The shield was designed to deflect projectiles towards the ground".

What can I say instead of "deflect towards"?

You can use alternatives like "redirect to", "divert to", or "shift toward" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "deflect towards"?

"Deflect towards" is suitable when describing a physical redirection, like an object being diverted, or a figurative redirection, such as attention being diverted. It is best used when the redirection is not directly controlled.

What's the difference between "deflect towards" and "turn towards"?

"Deflect towards" implies an external force causing the change in direction, while "turn towards" suggests a deliberate action of changing direction. Thus, "turn towards" indicates an intentional change of direction.