less towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less towards" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate a reduction in direction or inclination towards something, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "I feel less towards the idea of moving to a new city than I did before."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

"More oriented toward high-tech workers and less towards labor.

The New Yorker

DLC1 encodes a multiple-domain RhoGAP protein with selective activity toward RhoA, B and C and less towards CDC42 but not Rac1 [24], [24].

Plosone

Repatriating those policies would mean that Germany paid much less towards the EU.

The Economist

But Merkel will probably be looking less towards Seehofer's performance and more towards the ailing junior coalition partner, the liberal Free Democrats, with whom she governs in Berlin.

The Guardian

As the Observer pointed out at the weekend, as a nation we are living longer and savings less towards our retirement.

The Guardian - Money

This is part of a drive, led by Osborne, to reposition ourselves so that we look more towards the world and less towards Europe.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

It leaves his government irrelevant to the future, limping idea-less towards the general election.

The Guardian - Opinion

Men with smaller 2D:4D ratios were also less quarrelsome towards women than towards men.

Vice

On the other hand, ΔN(3′-10 Hprt fusion was equally repressive towards p63, but less so towards p53.

Cell Death and Differentiation

Conversely, the moving from group is less oriented towards asset resilience and more towards income resilience.

Pastoralism

Thus their argument is that because the second law drives systems towards less order, evolution (towards more complexity) is falsified.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, consider replacing "less towards" with more common alternatives like "less inclined to" or "not as oriented to", especially in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "less towards" when a more precise preposition or adverbial phrase would better convey the intended meaning. For example, instead of "less towards success", consider "less likely to succeed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less towards" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a diminished direction, inclination, or preference. It modifies verbs or clauses to show a shift away from a particular focus or orientation. Ludwig provides examples where it indicates a reduced tendency or inclination.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

43%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less towards" is used to express a decrease in inclination, direction, or preference. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI indicates that it's often beneficial to opt for more precise and common alternatives like "less inclined to" or "not as oriented to", especially in formal writing. News & Media and Science contexts are the most common, and authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist utilize it to convey shifts in trends and priorities. Although its usage is common, clarity and precision are improved by using alternative phrasings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less inclined towards

Emphasizes a decrease in willingness or preference.

less disposed to

Highlights a reduced tendency or natural inclination.

not as oriented to

Focuses on a change in focus or direction.

moving away from

Suggests a shift in direction or focus.

decreasingly interested in

Emphasizes a decline in interest or enthusiasm.

not as keen on

Indicates a reduction in enthusiasm or eagerness.

shifting away from

Implies a gradual change in direction or allegiance.

becoming less of a priority

Highlights a change in importance or urgency.

showing less preference for

Emphasizes a reduced favoring of something.

waning interest in

Suggests a gradual decrease in interest or enthusiasm.

FAQs

What does "less towards" mean?

The phrase "less towards" indicates a decrease in inclination, direction, or preference. It suggests a shift away from something, although it's often clearer to use alternatives.

What can I say instead of "less towards"?

You can use alternatives like "less inclined towards", "less disposed to", or "not as oriented to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "less towards"?

While grammatically acceptable, "less towards" isn't the most common or precise phrase. Using alternatives like "less inclined to" or "not as focused on" may improve clarity.

How can I use "less towards" in a sentence?

You can use "less towards" to indicate a decreasing preference or direction. For example: "The company is moving less towards traditional marketing and more towards digital strategies."