in a horizontal direction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a horizontal direction" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing movement or orientation that is parallel to the horizon or ground level. Example: "The car moved in a horizontal direction across the field, avoiding the obstacles in its path."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The wind was propelling the sand in a horizontal direction.

The New York Times

The reflection causes the light waves to oscillate in a horizontal direction.

The New York Times - Science

Like an airplane wing, it provides lift, although largely in a horizontal direction.

The New York Times - Science

Calotes is typically green or brown, and the body is flattened in a horizontal direction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The clipped image was rotated so that the longitudinal axis was in a horizontal direction (Supplementary Fig. 2B).

Nature

Another example is Apple's swipe-to-unlock patent, which covers putting your finger on the lock screen and to moving your finger in a horizontal direction.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

A third and more complicated form of the cottabus is thus described by Suidas (s.v. Κοτταβίζω).— A long piece of wood being erected on the ground, another was placed upon it in an horizontal direction, with two dishes hanging down from each end; underneath each dish a vessel full of water was placed, in each of which stood a gilt brazen statue, called μάνης.

University of Chicago

The second mode allows anisotropic measurements and gives values of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity in both the radial direction (a horizontal direction in the original position of the core samples) and the axial direction (vertical direction).

Earth, Planets and Space

Conversely, the two-part type polyurethane foam cured within 2 min, and the foam expanded approximately 2 times in a vertical direction (and not a horizontal direction).

ROBOMECH Journal

The essentials are: the ACV is bound to flat surface; drag a little in all horizontal directions; direct generation of control forces needed to provide centripetal forces to maneuver the craft around comers.

Theory & Design of Air Cushion Craft

To fly at a steady speed in a completely horizontal direction, an animal must generate enough thrust to equal the drag forces on it.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing movement or orientation, ensure that using "in a horizontal direction" adds clarity, especially in technical or scientific writing. Simpler alternatives like "horizontally" can often suffice in less formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "in a horizontal direction" when "horizontally" is more concise and clear. The longer phrase can sometimes sound unnecessarily verbose, especially in simpler contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a horizontal direction" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs by specifying the direction of an action or state. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing movement, orientation, and force.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a horizontal direction" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an adverbial phrase to describe movement or orientation parallel to the horizon. While acceptable, simpler alternatives like "horizontally" may be more concise in less formal contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and technical writing, emphasizing its role in providing precise directional information. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its versatility and appropriate usage in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

horizontally

Simplifies the phrase to a single adverb, focusing on the manner of movement or orientation.

along a horizontal axis

Specifies the axis of orientation, adding a level of technical precision.

in a lateral direction

Uses a synonym for "horizontal", maintaining the directional meaning.

on a horizontal plane

Emphasizes the two-dimensional aspect of the horizontal direction.

parallel to the horizon

Relates the direction to the visual horizon, providing a clear reference point.

sideways

Offers a simpler, more informal alternative emphasizing the side-to-side movement.

in a transverse manner

Replaces 'horizontal' with 'transverse', keeping a formal tone

crosswise

Indicates a direction that intersects another, often vertical, direction.

broadside

Describes something positioned with its broad side facing a certain direction

levelly

Focuses on maintaining a level position, which is often associated with the horizontal.

FAQs

How can I use "in a horizontal direction" in a sentence?

You can use "in a horizontal direction" to describe the orientation or movement of something parallel to the horizon, as in "The wind was propelling the sand "in a horizontal direction"".

What are some alternatives to saying "in a horizontal direction"?

Some alternatives include "horizontally", "laterally", or "on a horizontal plane", depending on the desired level of formality and precision.

Is it better to say "horizontal" or "in a horizontal direction"?

The choice depends on the context. "Horizontal" is an adjective describing something oriented that way (a horizontal line), while "in a horizontal direction" is an adverbial phrase describing movement or orientation. Using "horizontally" might be more concise.

What is the difference between "in a horizontal direction" and "in a vertical direction"?

"In a horizontal direction" refers to something oriented or moving parallel to the horizon, while "in a vertical direction" refers to something oriented or moving perpendicular to the horizon. They are contrasting directional orientations.