initial move toward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial move toward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the first step or action taken in a particular direction or towards a specific goal. Example: "The initial move toward renewable energy sources is crucial for combating climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mantle made an initial move toward first, then gave a head fake toward second.

The New York Times - Sports

In Chile the initial move toward independence was made on September 18 , 1810 when a cabildo abierto (open town meeting) in Santiago, attended by representatives of privileged groups whose vaguely defined objectives included a change in administration, accepted the resignation of the President-Governor and in his place elected a junta composed of local leaders.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That said, the initial move toward an all card-free system was clearly received as a misstep among many users.

TechCrunch

While the initial move toward more regional-level planning and regulation units is consistent with other states' CON programs, the actual consequences for inpatient hospital bed distribution and access in Michigan remain to be seen.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Initial moves toward a cease-fire were thwarted when Israel besieged the Ramallah base of Yasir Arafat, the Palestinian leader, for 10 days last month.

The New York Times

But these initial moves toward the truce negotiated on Tuesday were accompanied by continuing skirmishes between soldiers and rioters, and by Israel's reported capture of Palestinians it accuses of taking part in the mob killing of two of its soldiers last week.

The New York Times

Initial moves toward a positive form of social epistemology (as opposed to a debunking form) were begun in the mid-1980s, largely in response to the debunkers.

SEP

Moving Toward Progress.

Vice

Adaptation: The pattern is isolation at some initial time but moves toward indifference from one generation to the next say linearly, for example—as society adapts and the integration of immigrants and non-immigrants comes to be fully accepted.  .

IZA Journal of Development and Migration

Adaptation: The pattern is isolation at some initial time but moves toward indifference from one generation to the next say linearly, for example—as society adapts and the integration of immigrants and non-immigrants comes to be fully accepted.

IZA Journal of Development and Migration

Boomerang, the Facebook-based gifting service that launched its beta test in Chicago earlier this year, just announced that it is now expanding beyond its initial market and making its first move toward launching its nationwide operations.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "initial move toward" when emphasizing the very first action taken in pursuit of a goal or change. It clearly establishes the starting point of a process.

Common error

Avoid using "initial move toward" with other words that mean "first" or "beginning", such as "very first initial move toward". Redundancy weakens the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial move toward" functions as a noun phrase that often serves as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a beginning action or step that directs effort towards a specific objective, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial move toward" signifies the beginning of an action aimed at achieving a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. It functions as a noun phrase, primarily used to indicate the starting point of a process or strategy. While not very common, its consistent usage in authoritative sources like The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica suggests its suitability for formal and professional communication. Consider alternatives like "first step toward" or "preliminary step toward" to vary your writing while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first step toward

Focuses on the commencement of a process or action with an emphasis on its sequential position.

preliminary step toward

Highlights the preparatory or introductory nature of the action.

opening move toward

Emphasizes the start of a strategic or deliberate action.

incipient step toward

Stresses the very early and nascent stage of the action.

original move toward

Highlights the innovative character of the first action.

early move toward

Suggests a move happening sooner than might be expected.

primary step toward

Signifies the fundamental importance of the initial action.

first move in the direction of

More verbose way to emphasize that the action is taking a course or path to something else.

initial action directed at

This option emphasizes the target of the initial move.

early action targeted at

Highlights the timing and focus of an initial effort.

FAQs

What does "initial move toward" mean?

The phrase "initial move toward" refers to the very first action or step taken in a particular direction or to achieve a specific goal. It emphasizes the commencement of a process or change.

What can I say instead of "initial move toward"?

You can use alternatives like "first step toward", "preliminary step toward", or "opening move toward" depending on the context.

How to use "initial move toward" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the beginning of an action aimed at achieving something. For instance: "The company's "initial move toward" sustainability was the implementation of a recycling program."

Is "initial move towards" grammatically correct?

Yes, "initial move towards" is also grammatically correct and interchangeable with "initial move toward". The choice between "toward" and "towards" often depends on regional preference (American vs British English respectively), but both are acceptable.