going homeward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going homeward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of moving or traveling towards one's home or place of residence. Example: "After a long day at work, I found myself going homeward, looking forward to a relaxing evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Going homeward up Madison Avenue early one morning, a friend of ours overtook a young man who bore the unmistakable stamp of some Eastern university, even though it was pretty well submerged at the moment in alcohol.

The New Yorker

By Herbert J. Mangham and Russell Maloney The New Yorker, November 26 , 1938P. 11 Going homeward up Madison Avenue early one morning, a friend of ours overtook a young man who bore the unmistakable stamp of some Eastern university, even though it was pretty well submerged at the moment in alcohol.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, November 26 , 1938P. 11 Going homeward up Madison Avenue early one morning, a friend of ours overtook a young man who bore the unmistakable stamp of some Eastern university, even though it was pretty well submerged at the moment in alcohol.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Going homewards on the elephants, two snipe got up, and I bagged them both with a right and left.

Cornell University

Such a provision might, for example, have made the raiders on Halifax Bank of Scotland go homeward tae think again.

The Guardian - Opinion

The following songs, "Homeward Bound" and "Going Strong," have a large group of background vocalists to give them that Dropkick Murphys punch.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I am staying here until the end of the week and am then driving to Ludwigshafen to view some preliminary work on the electric ovens for spectroscopic analysis, and then via Frankfurt-am-Main, where I am going to visit Dr. Oppenheim, homewards.

Princeton University

They were going farther on and Vati and I started on our homeward journey.

The New Yorker

An old cassette found its way into the house and suddenly I was homeward bound... Simon and Garfunkel are never going to be a fashionable taste to confess to.

The Guardian - Music

After what is usually a pro forma pass through Customs (which, like the Food and Drug Administration, seems not particularly eager to go after senior citizens), homeward they go.

The New York Times - Magazine

I remember I read Thomas Wolfe's Look Homeward Angel - just a beautiful book, and it ends with him going to Harvard, and I'm like, game over, I gotta go to Harvard.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going homeward" to add a touch of formality or nostalgia to your writing, particularly when describing a journey or a sense of returning to a familiar place. It can evoke a sense of tradition or a more classical style.

Common error

Avoid using "going homeward" in casual or informal contexts, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more common alternatives like "heading home" or "going home" for everyday conversation and writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going homeward" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the act or process of returning or moving toward one's home. Ludwig confirms that this is correct and usable in English. The examples show it used to describe a journey or direction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "going homeward" describes the act of returning to one's home, carrying a nuance of formality and a descriptive, sometimes nostalgic tone. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in diverse contexts, though it is less common than alternatives like "heading home". Its primary function is as a gerund phrase that describes the action of returning home, often emphasizing the journey or destination. Although used across various source types, it is most frequently observed in News & Media. Therefore, while grammatically sound, writers should consider the audience and context to select the most appropriate phrasing. Use "going homeward" when you want to be more expressive; in all other contexts, "heading home" is fine.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heading home

A more common and direct way to express returning home.

going back home

Emphasizes the return to a place of origin or familiarity.

returning home

A more formal way to express the act of going back to one's residence.

on my way home

Indicates that the speaker is currently in the process of returning home.

making my way home

Implies a journey or process of returning, often with a sense of anticipation.

traveling homeward

A slightly more formal and descriptive alternative, suggesting a journey.

journeying homeward

A more literary and evocative way to describe returning home.

steering towards home

Suggests directing oneself or something else towards home.

gravitating homeward

Suggests being drawn towards home as if by gravity or natural inclination.

progressing homeward

A formal construction that signifies the action of moving towards one's home.

FAQs

What does "going homeward" mean?

"Going homeward" means the act of returning or traveling towards one's home or place of residence.

What are some alternatives to "going homeward"?

Some alternatives include "heading home", "returning home", or "on my way home".

Is "going homeward" grammatically correct?

Yes, "going homeward" is grammatically correct, although it's considered less common than alternatives like "going home".

When is it appropriate to use "going homeward"?

Use "going homeward" when you want to add a slightly more formal or literary tone to your writing, particularly when emphasizing the journey or emotional aspect of returning home.