drift toward

USAGE SUMMARY

"drift toward" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to gradual movement in the direction of something, either physical or figurative. For example: "His thoughts began to drift toward the happy memories of his childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The drift toward inertia continues.

The New York Times

They drift toward the pavement.

The New Yorker

Europeans will drift toward nationalization.

The New York Times

The marshmallows drift toward the alligators.

The New York Times

Perhaps we are succumbing to the societal drift toward superlatives.

The New York Times

Then he let his eyes drift toward the clerk.

The New York Times - Magazine

This insensitive attitude clearly reflects the government's drift toward authoritarianism.

The New Yorker

Superdelegates have been continuing to drift toward Mr. Obama.

The New York Times

"There's been a 10- or 15-year drift toward Republicans.

The New York Times

The drift toward absolute radicalism was dictated by the circumstances.

The New Yorker

Other works drift toward the pleasurescapes of Monet and Matisse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drift toward" to describe a gradual, often undirected movement or change, such as "conversations tend to drift toward politics".

Common error

Avoid using "drift toward" when describing a deliberate or planned action. It's best suited for unintentional or gradual shifts. For example, instead of "He drifted toward his goal", consider "He worked toward his goal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drift toward" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a gradual or unintentional movement or shift in a particular direction. It is commonly used to describe tendencies, inclinations, or evolving states, as Ludwig AI indicates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drift toward" is a commonly used phrasal verb that describes a gradual or unintentional movement or shift in a particular direction. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, it’s grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in "News & Media", followed by "Science". Related phrases include "gravitate towards", "incline towards", and "tend towards", offering slightly different nuances. It's important to use "drift toward" when describing slow, undirected changes, and avoid it when referring to deliberate actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gravitate towards

Indicates a natural pull or attraction, implying less randomness than "drift".

incline towards

Suggests a predisposition or leaning in a certain direction, emphasizing a mental or emotional tendency.

tend towards

Implies a statistical likelihood or probability of moving in a particular direction.

move towards

A more general term indicating movement in a specific direction, lacking the nuance of gradual or unintentional movement.

veer towards

Suggests a change in direction, possibly sudden or unexpected.

slope towards

Implies a gradual decline or incline in a specific direction, often used metaphorically.

progress towards

Focuses on the advancement or development in a certain direction, highlighting the ongoing process.

develop towards

Emphasizes the evolution or unfolding of something in a specific direction.

shift to

Implies a more distinct and noticeable change in direction or focus.

turn to

Indicates a complete change in focus or allegiance, often implying a conscious decision.

FAQs

How to use "drift toward" in a sentence?

Use "drift toward" to describe a gradual movement or inclination. For example: "Over time, the conversation began to "drift toward" more serious topics."

What can I say instead of "drift toward"?

You can use alternatives like "gravitate towards", "incline towards", or "tend towards" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "drift toward" or "drift towards"?

"Drift toward" and "drift towards" are both generally considered correct, with the choice often depending on regional preference (toward is more common in American English, towards in British English).

What's the difference between "drift toward" and "move toward"?

"Drift toward" implies a more passive, gradual, and less directed movement than "move toward", which suggests a more intentional action.