leads towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"leads towards" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something is making progress in a certain direction. For example, "The research we've been doing leads towards discovering a new treatment for the disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The bid for profundity leads towards contradiction: "Buildings aren't homes.

The Guardian

Possibly not, but he may find that a graveyard slot leads towards it.

The Guardian

The next morning brought another bush taxi on the excellent new road that leads towards Bamako.

The Economist

They get in the rut of consuming alcohol which leads towards domestic violence and other forms of violence".

The Guardian

Suffice it to posit that the path you apparently recommend is that which decidedly leads towards absolutist, monarchical governance.

The New York Times

Nor did I read or hear a convincing route that leads towards a new leader before the election.

Independent

This discussion leads towards the establishment of a development and management framework for teaching and learning systems.

Computers & Education

Social physics leads towards finding universal relationships in data on the basis of well-understood and statistically robust methodologies.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

This technology and principle leads towards a new computing paradigm based on what we name Shape Shifting Digital Hardware (SSDH).

Microelectronics Reliability

The coke, the sex, the bellinis deliver little more than a thudding hangover, while Ganoona leads towards something akin to madness.

The Guardian - Books

The latter case gets Mick into deep water, threatening his career, but involves him in some soul-searching that leads towards redemption.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leads towards" to describe a trend or development that is gradually approaching a specific outcome or destination. For example: "This strategy leads towards a more sustainable future."

Common error

While "leads towards" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound less precise. Consider stronger verbs or more specific prepositions to convey direction and consequence more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leads towards" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating direction, tendency, or progression. Examples from Ludwig show it connecting actions or situations with potential outcomes or destinations, suggesting a directional relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "leads towards" is a versatile prepositional phrase that suggests direction, tendency, or progression. According to Ludwig, its use is grammatically correct and it is frequently employed across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While generally acceptable, it is important to consider the context and use more precise language in formal settings. Alternatives like "contributes to" or "results in" might be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning. The choice between "leads towards" and "leads to" hinges on the certainty of the outcome, with "leads to" implying a more direct result.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moves toward

Emphasizes movement and direction, similar to the original phrase, but with a slightly different nuance.

is a step toward

Implies that something is one action in a larger process

contributes to

Indicates a contributing factor rather than a direct path, suggesting a less deterministic relationship.

progresses to

Focuses on the idea of advancement and reaching a subsequent stage.

results in

Implies a more direct and causal relationship, focusing on the outcome.

paves the way for

Indicates the removal of obstacles to facilitate future progress.

is conducive to

Suggests a favorable condition or environment that enables a certain outcome.

tends to produce

Highlights the likelihood of an outcome, with a softer emphasis on causality.

sets the stage for

Highlights preparation and anticipation for a future event or development.

is directed at

Changes the focus to an aim or intention, rather than a natural consequence.

FAQs

How to use "leads towards" in a sentence?

Use "leads towards" to indicate a direction, trend, or likely outcome. For example: "The evidence leads towards a conviction" or "This path "leads towards success"."

What can I say instead of "leads towards"?

You can use alternatives like "contributes to", "results in", or "moves toward" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "leads towards" or "leads to"?

"Leads to" often implies a more direct and certain outcome, while "leads towards" suggests a direction or tendency without guaranteeing the final result. Both are correct, but their meanings differ slightly.

What's the difference between "leads towards" and "is directed at"?

"Leads towards" suggests a progression or likely outcome, while "is directed at" indicates a specific aim or target. The former focuses on consequence, the latter on intention.