go in the direction of

USAGE SUMMARY

"go in the direction of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of progressing towards a certain point or aim. For example: "He decided to go in the direction of his dreams and pursue a career as a professional musician."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They decided to go in the direction of Germany.

The Guardian

But how far could an interviewer go in the direction of disrespect?

The Guardian - Books

"We need to go in the direction of more regulatory consolidation," Ms. Bair said.

The New York Times

"I think it's important to go in the direction of not ghettoizing" new music, he said.

The New York Times

"We want to have everyone's imagination go in the direction of the sky".

The New York Times - Arts

I had imagined this might go in the direction of my beloved Switchel.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Bach cover was commissioned to go in the direction of color painting".

The New York Times - Arts

So you can do a lot of thing where you start from PCA and go in the direction of sparsity.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Every now and again, someone shouts "Let them go!" in the direction of the police station's outer wall.

The Guardian

Or, we could go in the direction of the government, which is putting our hard fought progress at risk.

The Guardian

"In the 21st century," he added, "some people will go in the direction of success, and others will not.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "go in the direction of", ensure the context clearly indicates a movement, progression, or tendency toward a specific outcome or goal. Avoid using it in contexts where a more direct verb like "move" or "head" would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "go in the direction of" when a simpler verb like "go", "walk", or "head" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound verbose. For instance, instead of saying "He went in the direction of the store", simply say "He went to the store".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go in the direction of" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb. It indicates the path or orientation of an action, suggesting movement or progression towards a specific target or goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

25%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go in the direction of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe movement, progression, or inclination toward a specific goal or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. While versatile, be mindful of potential wordiness and consider simpler alternatives when appropriate. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from formal reports to informal discussions. Remember to use it when indicating a path or orientation of an action, ensuring the context aligns with the intended meaning. Its frequent appearance in News & Media sources and Science sources confirms its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

head towards

This alternative provides a more direct and concise way of expressing movement toward a specific location or goal.

move toward

This option conveys a sense of progression in the specified direction, similar to the original phrase.

progress toward

This variant emphasizes advancement and development in relation to a particular objective.

steer toward

This option suggests a deliberate guiding action towards a certain path or goal.

make for

Similar to "head towards", implies to start moving in a certain direction.

gravitate toward

This phrase implies a natural inclination or attraction towards something, adding a layer of involuntariness.

incline toward

This suggests a tendency or predisposition toward a certain course of action or belief.

aim for

A more concise way to express targeting or striving to reach something.

veer toward

This phrase implies a slight change in direction towards something, often unexpectedly.

trend toward

This indicates a general tendency or pattern that emerges over time.

FAQs

How can I use "go in the direction of" in a sentence?

You can use "go in the direction of" to describe a movement or progression toward a specific place, goal, or idea. For example, "They decided to "head towards" Germany" or "The company needs to "move toward" more sustainable practices".

What are some alternatives to "go in the direction of"?

Alternatives include "head towards", "move toward", "progress toward", "aim for", or "make for", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "go towards" or "go in the direction of"?

"Go towards" is generally more concise and direct. "Go in the direction of" can be used when you want to emphasize the lack of a direct path or uncertainty about the final destination. For most situations, "go towards" is preferred for its simplicity.

Can "go in the direction of" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "go in the direction of" can be used metaphorically to describe a change in focus, strategy, or mindset. For example, "The company decided to "steer toward" a more customer-centric approach".