directional change

USAGE SUMMARY

"directional change" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to a shift or alteration in the direction of something, such as a movement, trend, or path. Example: The stock market saw a significant directional change after the new trade policies were announced.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The information about the time-dependent directional change and the changed base should become important for designing siRNAs with long effectiveness.

Nature

In a world of changing physical and biological environments, specific selective pressures that generate directional change are often only temporary.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

"Our real goal is to achieve directional change," he said.

The New York Times

Because time-series directional changes in mono- and oligonucleotide compositions were observed for both EBOV and MERS viruses, the directional change should occur for other zoonotic RNA viruses.

Nature

Long oligonucleotides that showed an evident directional change observed in common for the three subtypes corresponded to some of influenza A siRNAs, whose activities have been experimentally proven.

Nature

If a common directional change is observed, what types of changes likely reoccur in future epidemics caused by invasions from natural reservoir hosts?

Nature

The ice that is melting, leaving behind objects frozen 10,000 years ago, is an indirect reflection of the directional change of global temperature– global warming.

University of California, Berkeley

Side-by-side images of the jet from the Crab Nebula show its directional change between Nov. 5, 2008 (left) and May 11 , 2011

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

These and other disciplines use the word with only the slightest commonality of meaning the notion of gradual, and perhaps directional, change over the course of time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No one is expecting a "directional change" under Mr. Pitt's successor at the agency, he added, "which is why it is so important that we get a top person into the role quickly".

The New York Times

And that's a huge directional change.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or processes, use "directional change" to indicate a clear shift in one specific direction. For example, instead of saying "the trend changed", specify it as a "directional change" towards a particular outcome for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "directional change" when you simply mean fluctuation or variability. "Directional change" implies a sustained shift in a specific direction, not just random ups and downs. For instance, distinguish between a "directional change" in temperature (a consistent increase) and daily temperature variations (fluctuations around an average).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "directional change" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific type of alteration where the direction of something is modified, as supported by the examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "directional change" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that denotes a shift in a specific direction. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used in scientific, academic, and news contexts to describe alterations in trends, movements, or orientations. While "directional change" is often used effectively, it's important to distinguish it from general variability and to use more specific alternatives like "shift in direction" or "change of course" when appropriate. Avoiding the use of "directional change" when simply referring to fluctuations is also crucial for maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shift in direction

This alternative emphasizes the movement from one direction to another.

change of course

This suggests an alteration in a planned or expected path.

alteration of trajectory

This is a more formal way of saying a change in path or direction.

turnaround

This implies a complete reversal of direction or trend.

course correction

This suggests a minor adjustment to stay on the intended path.

deviation

This highlights a departure from a set path or standard.

reorientation

This implies a change in alignment or focus.

inflection point

This refers to a moment of significant change in direction or trend.

swing

Suggests a wide-ranging change from one extreme to another.

pivot

This term suggests a strategic shift in direction or focus, often in business contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "directional change" in a sentence?

You can use "directional change" to describe a shift in trend or movement. For example: "The company experienced a significant "directional change" in its marketing strategy after the new CEO took over."

What's the difference between "directional change" and "trend shift"?

"Directional change" emphasizes a change in a specific direction, while "trend shift" simply indicates a change in the prevailing pattern. "Directional change" is more precise when you want to highlight the orientation of the change.

What can I say instead of "directional change"?

You can use alternatives like "shift in direction", "change of course", or "alteration of trajectory" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a directional change" or just "directional change"?

Both are correct depending on the context. "A directional change" is used when referring to a specific instance of change. "Directional change" (without the article) is used when discussing the concept more generally.