head for

USAGE SUMMARY

'head for' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that means to go in the direction of something. Example: "We decided to head for the beach to get away from the cold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her "head for business"?

The Economist

Head for the hills".

The New York Times - Books

Head for Armani's house".

Independent

Head for America.

The Economist

(Monkey's hopes head for stratosphere).

The Guardian

Re "Head for the Hills?

The New York Times

A head for a mop.

Independent

An aperitif Head for Bandra.

Independent

They could head for more reliable climes.

The Economist

Then head for the Caesar's nightclubs.

Independent

Nothing stayed on his head for long.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "head for" when you want to clearly indicate a direct movement towards a specific destination. For example: "After the meeting, we'll head for lunch."

Common error

Avoid using "head for" interchangeably with verbs like "aim" or "target" when physical movement is not involved. "Head for" implies directionality. For example: Incorrect: "We head for success." Correct: "We are aiming for success."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "head for" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating movement or direction. It describes the act of going towards a specific place or thing. Ludwig shows many examples where "head for" is used to describe physical movement toward a destination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

31%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "head for" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate movement towards a specific destination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across various contexts, including news, general instructions, and scientific discourse. While versatile, it's important to distinguish its specific meaning of directionality from similar verbs such as "aim" or "target", which do not necessarily imply physical movement. From the many examples, it's easy to understand the nuances and usage of "head for" in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go towards

Replaces "head" with a more general term for movement, "go", maintaining the direction.

make for

Uses "make" as a verb of movement combined with the preposition "for".

set out for

Implies a deliberate beginning of a journey to a specific location.

move towards

Uses the verb "move" to describe a gradual change in location.

aim for

Suggests a target or goal is being pursued, rather than a physical destination.

gravitate to

Implies a natural attraction or tendency to move towards something.

point towards

Emphasizes direction or indication of a place.

steer toward

Suggests controlling or guiding movement in a certain direction.

be bound for

Indicates that someone or something is traveling toward a specific location.

direct yourself to

A more formal way to instruct someone to go to a place.

FAQs

How can I use "head for" in a sentence?

You can use "head for" to describe moving in a specific direction or towards a particular location. For example, "Let's head for the mountains this weekend", or "They decided to head for home after the concert".

What are some alternatives to "head for"?

Some alternatives to "head for" include "go towards", "make for", or "set out for". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "headed for trouble"?

Yes, "headed for trouble" is a common idiomatic expression that means moving towards or likely to encounter problems or difficulties.

What's the difference between "head for" and "heading to"?

"Head for" generally indicates a direction or destination, while "heading to" is more specific about arriving at a location. You might "head for" the coast, but you're "heading to" Miami.