directing us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "directing us" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who is providing guidance or instructions to a group or individuals. Example: "The manager is directing us on how to proceed with the project to ensure we meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead, from LinkedIn, we each received emails directing us to use the company's self-service tool.

The New York Times - Tech

As a policymaker explained, " Donors are directing us in certain directions… Influential people in the country have their own projects and will push them forward; which affects policymaking".

Health Research Policy and Systems

On the corner of 23rd Street and Avenue of the Americas, we paused to catch our breath and then skipped south, with Ms. Joni directing us to skip sideways, facing one direction, then the other.

The New York Times

After directing us toward a massive, crumbling staircase, Andrea vanished.

The New Yorker

Thanks to @cebmblog for directing us to the article.

The Guardian

"Are you directing us to put Lehman in bankruptcy?" one director asked.

The New Yorker

The older generation is still directing us as if they were chess players.

The New Yorker

At other times, it does so by directing us back to the political drawing board.

The New York Times

I remember a guy [no name] directing us to the door.

The New York Times

Twitter declined to comment, instead directing us to the platform's January blog post about world leaders.

The Washington Post

Finally a local set us straight, directing us to a bridge.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "directing us" when you want to convey that someone is providing clear instructions or guidance to a group, helping them move towards a specific goal or destination.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences in a way that obscures who is doing the directing. Ensure the subject clearly identifies the source of direction, rather than passively stating that "we were directed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "directing us" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle construction involving the verb 'direct' and the pronoun 'us'. Ludwig AI examples show it describing the action of providing guidance or instructions to a group of people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "directing us" is a grammatically correct verb phrase widely used to describe the action of guiding or instructing a group of people. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's particularly common in News & Media, with its function primarily being to inform about the act of providing guidance. While suitable for formal contexts, it maintains a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who is providing the direction and avoid passive voice constructions. Alternatives like "guiding us" or "leading us" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Guiding us

Focuses on providing support and assistance, making the journey easier.

Leading us

Suggests taking charge and showing the way forward with authority.

Instructing us

Implies teaching or providing detailed information on how to proceed.

Advising us

Focuses on offering recommendations and suggestions for decision-making.

Showing us the way

Emphasizes demonstrating the correct path or method.

Pointing us toward

Suggests indicating a direction or making a recommendation.

Steering us

Implies carefully controlling the direction of movement or progress.

Influencing us

Highlights the power to affect our decisions or actions.

Commanding us

Implies giving orders that must be obeyed.

Managing us

Focuses on overseeing and coordinating our activities.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "directing us" in a sentence?

You can use "directing us" to indicate someone is giving instructions or guidance. For example: "The project manager is directing us on the best way to complete the tasks efficiently."

What are some alternatives to saying "directing us"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "guiding us", "leading us", or "instructing us".

Is there a difference between "directing us" and "leading us"?

"Directing us" implies providing specific instructions, while "leading us" suggests showing the way forward, often with a broader vision or goal in mind.

When is it appropriate to use "directing us" in formal writing?

"Directing us" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. In formal writing, ensure the subject "directing us" is clearly identified and the tone remains professional. The verb "directing" does not influence the formality by itself.