move in a certain direction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "move in a certain direction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the action of changing position or orientation towards a specific point or area. Example: "As the sun sets, the shadows begin to move in a certain direction, creating a beautiful play of light and dark."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Another area of the brain called the prefrontal cortex gives the rat the signal to move in a certain direction.

MIT Technology Review

But if fire is naturally such as to move in a certain direction, clearly the same may be supposed to hold of earth.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So you become vocal and you get comfortable standing up in front of people or talking to people or swaying a room to move in a certain direction.

The New York Times

Long-Term Capital Managexamplefor example, collapsed in the late 1990s when securities that the best computer models in the world predicted would not move in a certain direction did just that.

The New York Times

To obtain buy-in from a follower, you need to make him feel confident about deciding to move in a certain direction by proving that others have succeeded on that path.

Harvard Business Review

How have you felt pressured to move in a certain direction?

European Journal of Futures Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

A lot of these discussions are moving in a certain direction.

The Guardian

The redeployment, said Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani, "is an indication that we are moving in a certain direction".

The New York Times

Deflection occurs because, in accordance with Newton's first law of motion, a parcel moving in a certain direction will retain the same motion unless acted on by an exterior force.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many things other than presidential policies contribute to economic growth, of course, including whether a president has the good or bad fortune to enter office when the economy is already moving in a certain direction.

The New York Times

No matter what mess you are in, you've got to have some vision that you offer to staff to make them feel you are moving in a certain direction".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "move in a certain direction", ensure the context clearly defines the direction, either literally or figuratively, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "move in a certain direction" without specifying or implying what that direction is. This can leave your reader confused about the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move in a certain direction" functions primarily as a verb phrase describing the action of changing position or orientation. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "move in a certain direction" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys the concept of changing position or orientation, both physically and metaphorically. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the intended direction. Alternatives like "proceed in a specific direction" or "shift towards a particular direction" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Although it can be considered neutral, context will always dictate appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proceed in a specific direction

Emphasizes the act of continuing or advancing towards a predetermined point.

shift towards a particular direction

Highlights a change or adjustment in orientation.

head in a given direction

Focuses on the act of starting or initiating movement.

progress in a defined direction

Suggests forward movement with an element of advancement.

orient towards a designated direction

Emphasizes the act of aligning or positioning oneself.

veer in a selected direction

Implies a change in course or deviation from the original path.

drift in a certain direction

Suggests a more passive movement, influenced by external forces.

trend in a specific direction

Refers to a general inclination or tendency of change.

gravitate towards a set direction

Implies an attraction or pull towards a specific point or area.

incline toward a determined direction

Suggests a predisposition or leaning towards a particular path.

FAQs

How can I use "move in a certain direction" in a sentence?

You can use "move in a certain direction" to describe physical movement, like "The rat was trained to move in a certain direction based on the signal it received". You can also use it figuratively, such as "The company is trying to move in a certain direction to increase profits".

What are some alternatives to "move in a certain direction"?

Alternatives include "proceed in a specific direction", "shift towards a particular direction", or "head in a given direction", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "move in a certain direction" or "moving in a certain direction"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Move in a certain direction" can be used as an infinitive or in hypothetical contexts, while "moving in a certain direction" is used in continuous tenses to describe an ongoing action.

What does it mean when something is "moving in a certain direction"?

It implies that something is progressing or changing its position or orientation towards a specific goal or endpoint. The exact meaning will depend on the context.