in a particular direction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a particular direction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing movement, orientation, or focus towards a specific point or goal. Example: "The car was moving in a particular direction, making it difficult for the pedestrians to cross the street safely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"When Florida moves in a particular direction, other states follow".

The New York Times

Do you feel you're heading in a particular direction with your comics?

The New Yorker

Instead, people support some expansion of the idea in a particular direction for a particular constituency.

The New York Times

If you don't have this, you can find yourself being propelled in a particular direction".

The Guardian

They create a bias in the swarm's movement that steers it in a particular direction.

The New York Times - Science

In other words, dx and dy are not independent if they're moving in a particular direction.

Yale University

They were good people with hearts tugged in a particular direction.

The New York Times

The distribution of phenotypes in a population sometimes changes systematically in a particular direction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Animals often produce sounds that are focused in a particular direction relative to the caller's orientation.

Animal Behaviour

The player uses the arrow keys to shove the cursor in a particular direction over the spreadsheet grid.

The New York Times - Tech

The cricket ball example demonstrates that forces not only have a size but act in a particular direction.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in a particular direction", ensure the context clearly indicates what that direction is, either explicitly or implicitly, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "in a particular direction" without providing sufficient context about the nature of the direction, which can lead to misunderstanding or lack of clarity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a particular direction" typically functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to specify the direction of an action or movement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a particular direction" is a versatile and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to specify the orientation or trajectory of an action or movement. As per Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted and employed across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. While it is suitable for various registers, ensuring clear context is crucial to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "toward a specific direction" or "in a certain direction" can be used to subtly adjust the emphasis. The phrase sees frequent use in News & Media and Science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

toward a specific direction

Replaces "particular" with "specific", emphasizing precision.

in a certain direction

Substitutes "particular" with "certain", indicating a known but not necessarily specified direction.

along a defined path

Focuses on the path taken, implying a predetermined course.

in a designated route

Emphasizes a planned or assigned route of movement.

on a set course

Highlights the intentionality and fixed nature of the direction.

towards a chosen way

Implies a deliberate selection of a direction or method.

in a deliberate manner

Shifts focus to the intentionality of the action rather than the specific direction.

with a specific intention

Emphasizes the purpose or goal behind the action.

oriented toward a goal

Highlights the alignment of actions with a desired outcome.

with focused intent

Focuses on the concentrated purpose driving the action.

FAQs

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

You can use "in a particular direction" to describe movement, force, or influence. For example, "The wind was blowing "in a particular direction"", or "The company decided to move "in a particular direction" with its new marketing strategy".

What are some alternatives to "in a particular direction"?

Some alternatives include "toward a specific direction", "in a certain direction", or "along a defined path", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "move in a particular direction"?

While "move" implies direction, specifying ""in a particular direction"" adds emphasis or clarifies the specific course of movement. It isn't always redundant, but consider if the specificity is necessary for your sentence.

What's the difference between "in a particular direction" and "in a specific direction"?

The phrases ""in a particular direction"" and "in a specific direction" are very similar. "Specific" implies a more precisely defined or explicitly stated direction, while "particular" suggests a definite but perhaps not fully detailed direction. The choice often depends on the desired level of precision.