going in the direction of

USAGE SUMMARY

"going in the direction of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to any kind of progression or movement in a certain direction. For example, "The company is going in the direction of developing new products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

We're going in the direction of the World Series.

The New York Times - Sports

Foreign aid specialists say that the food shortages are "going in the direction of high mortality".

The Economist

"This is a team that's going in the direction of the Super Bowl," he said.

The New York Times

"We don't want to see the European Union going in the direction of a deficit union".

The New York Times

"We certainly seem to be going in the direction of fewer firms.

The New York Times

We're going in the direction of a more level playing field, more capital-market-oriented".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"Whatever changes," he said, "goes in the direction of modernization".

The New York Times

"They decided to go in the direction of Germany.

The Guardian

"Everything that goes in the direction of proliferation is a bad direction".

The New York Times

Frege's proposals went in the direction of a reduction of all mathematics to logic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

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

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going in the direction of" to indicate a general trend or movement rather than a precise location. For example, "The company is going in the direction of sustainable practices."

Common error

While "going in the direction of" is widely acceptable, consider using more concise or formal alternatives like "heading towards" or "progressing toward" in academic or professional contexts for enhanced clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going in the direction of" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates a general trend, movement, or inclination, expressing the direction something is progressing towards. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "going in the direction of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe a general trend, movement, or inclination towards a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media, with supporting examples in science and wiki contexts. While widely acceptable, more concise alternatives may be suitable for highly formal writing. When using this phrase, focus on conveying a sense of trend rather than a precise location or destination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heading towards

Focuses on physical movement or progression toward a destination or goal.

progressing toward

Emphasizes continuous movement and advancement in a particular direction.

moving towards

Highlights the act of changing position or state in the direction of something.

inclining towards

Suggests a tendency or leaning in a specific direction or preference.

trending toward

Indicates a general pattern or prevailing tendency in a certain direction.

developing toward

Focuses on gradual evolution and progress leading to a specific outcome or state.

gravitating toward

Implies a natural attraction or pull towards something specific.

steering toward

Suggests deliberate guidance or control in a particular direction.

orienting towards

Highlights the process of aligning or positioning oneself in relation to something.

aiming toward

Emphasizes the intention and effort to reach a specific goal or destination.

FAQs

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

You can use "going in the direction of" to describe a trend, movement, or inclination. For example, "The economy is "going in the direction of" recovery" or "The project is "going in the direction of" completion".

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

Alternatives include "heading towards", "progressing toward", or "moving towards", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "going in the direction of" formal or informal?

"Going in the direction of" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more concise alternatives might be preferred in highly formal writing.

How does "going in the direction of" differ from "heading towards"?

While similar, "heading towards" often implies a more direct and intentional movement, whereas "going in the direction of" can suggest a broader trend or general inclination without necessarily implying a specific, deliberate path.