make towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make towards" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to move or travel towards a specific direction. For example, "The sheep made towards the open gate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An unavoidable component of the largely unconscious projections parents make towards their children is gender.

The Guardian - Opinion

The SDGs should consider the broader contributions that forests can make towards the future we want.

The Guardian

Like Microsoft, they might increase the philanthropic contributions they make towards local housing solutions.

The Guardian - Opinion

I want her to have equality in all things, and this is the best contribution I can make towards that.

The Guardian - Books

There is growing scientific interest in the potential role that precision irrigation (PI) can make towards improving crop productivity, and increasing water and energy efficiency in irrigated agriculture.

Agricultural Water Management

Division-of-labor is an account of how individuals vary in the types of contributions they make towards collective work efforts.

Research in Organizational Behavior

This chapter discusses how digital media are influencing the architectural design of libraries and the contribution they make towards the civic fabric of our towns and cities.

Digital Information Strategies From Applications and Content to Libraries and People

Hers is a voice that is worth hearing, and I look forward to the contribution she will make towards building the society we know we can become".

The Guardian

Local benefits: There needs to be a shift away from thinking that the only contribution that housing organsiations make towards economic growth is through building.

The Guardian

Yet even these two self-assured and confident young men could not possibly have predicted the progress each would make towards basketball stardom.

The Guardian - Sport

Reassuringly for marketers, its conclusions are robustly centred on the contribution advertising can and must make towards generating profit - exactly the sort of accountability business leaders really need.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make towards" to describe a deliberate action or movement in a specific direction, whether physical or abstract, such as progress towards a goal.

Common error

Avoid using "make towards" when a more direct verb like "move to" or "head to" would be clearer and more concise. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make towards" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating direction or movement, either physically or metaphorically. Ludwig AI examples show its use in describing both literal movement, such as "the waves make towards the pebbled shore", and progress towards a goal, like "the progress each would make towards basketball stardom".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make towards" is a grammatically correct and versatile verb phrase used to indicate movement, progress, or contribution in a specific direction. As Ludwig AI points out, it appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, signifying its broad applicability. While direct and concise alternatives like "move toward" may sometimes be preferable, "make towards" offers a nuanced way to express deliberate action toward a goal. Be sure to consider the specific context to ensure the most appropriate word choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move toward

Indicates physical movement or a shift in approach, similar to "make towards" but more direct.

head for

Implies a direct course of movement toward a destination.

progress toward

Emphasizes the advancement or development in a certain direction.

go in direction of

A more literal way of expressing movement toward a place or thing.

work toward

Suggests effort and action directed at achieving a specific outcome.

contribute to

Focuses on the act of providing or adding to something, highlighting the contribution aspect.

strive for

Highlights the aspirational aspect of aiming for a goal.

gravitate to

Suggests a natural inclination or attraction towards something.

pitch in for

Focuses on a collective contribution to a shared effort.

angle for

Implies maneuvering or indirect action to achieve a goal.

FAQs

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

You can use "make towards" to indicate movement in a particular direction, as in, "The team made towards the finish line" or to suggest progress toward a goal, as in, "The company made towards sustainability".

What are some alternatives to "make towards"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "move toward", "contribute to", or "progress toward".

Is it correct to say "making towards"?

Yes, "making towards" is the present continuous form of "make towards" and is grammatically correct when describing an ongoing action or process of moving or progressing in a particular direction.

What's the difference between "make towards" and "move towards"?

"Make towards" and "move towards" are very similar. "Make towards" can sometimes imply a more deliberate or purposeful action compared to the more general sense of physical movement suggested by "move towards".