directed towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"directed towards" is an appropriate phrase for use in written English.
An example sentence might be: "The mayor's comments were harshly critical and primarily directed towards the opposing political party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everything is directed towards that end.

The Guardian

They should be directed towards Beit Nabala.

Independent

But really, it is directed towards men.

The Guardian

Some ugliness has been directed towards us.

The New Yorker

Other attempts are directed towards cheaper constructions.

Current Opinion in Biotechnology

Labour's efforts are directed towards getting people into work.

The Guardian - Opinion

But our efforts have been almost exclusively directed towards Rwanda.

The Guardian

At first my anger was directed towards Ben Nasser.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is directed towards the Middle East Arabs.

The New York Times

There's quite a lot of local vitriol directed towards her.

The Guardian

Most of the viewer's sympathy is directed towards Quentina, though.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider stronger verbs to replace 'is directed' for more impactful prose. For example, use 'targets' or 'focuses on'.

Common error

Avoid using "directed towards" in a passive voice construction where the actor is unclear. For instance, instead of "efforts are directed towards a solution", specify "researchers are directing efforts towards a solution" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "directed towards" functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb or noun to indicate the target or recipient of an action or feeling. Ludwig confirms its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "directed towards" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the target or focus of an action, effort, or emotion. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While suitable for formal writing, it's important to ensure clarity and avoid passive voice ambiguity. Consider stronger verbs for a more impactful tone. Related phrases like "aimed at" or "focused on" can offer alternative expressions while maintaining semantic similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

geared toward

Emphasizes suitability or design for a specific purpose or audience.

aimed at

Highlights the intended target or recipient of an action or effort.

focused on

Stresses concentration and attention on a particular subject or goal.

oriented to

Implies alignment or adaptation to a specific direction or objective.

intended for

Specifies the designed or planned use of something.

meant for

Similar to intended for, but can also imply destiny or inherent purpose.

channelled into

Suggests the redirection of resources or energy towards a particular area.

diverted to

Indicates a change of course or destination towards something else.

predisposed to

Suggests a natural inclination or tendency in a certain direction.

attuned to

Implies a sensitivity or responsiveness to specific signals or requirements.

FAQs

How can I use "directed towards" in a sentence?

You can use "directed towards" to show where efforts, actions, or feelings are aimed. For example: "Her anger was "directed towards" her brother" or "The funds are "directed towards" improving education".

What can I say instead of "directed towards"?

You can use alternatives like "aimed at", "focused on", or "geared towards" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "directed to" or "directed towards"?

While both can be correct, ""directed towards"" often implies a general orientation or aim, whereas "directed to" can suggest a more specific recipient or destination. For example, "The letter was "directed to" the manager" is more appropriate than "The letter was "directed towards" the manager".

When is it appropriate to use "directed towards" in formal writing?

"Directed towards" is suitable in formal writing to indicate a general direction or purpose. However, for a more impactful tone, consider stronger verbs. For instance, instead of "Resources are "directed towards" development", using "Resources support development" might be more effective.