move in the right direction

USAGE SUMMARY

"move in the right direction" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of making progress towards a desired outcome. For example, "We need to work together to ensure that our company moves in the right direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It does move in the right direction.

The New York Times

It will also be a move in the right direction.

The Economist

That doesn't always mean you move in the right direction.

The New York Times

This was a tremendous move in the right direction.

The New York Times

And that's a move in the right direction.

The New York Times

It would be a move in the right direction.

The New York Times

It is still a move in the right direction".

The New York Times

"I think any move in the right direction is enough.

The Guardian - Music

"It is definitely a move in the right direction.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a move in the right direction, in Dibben's view.

The Guardian

"It's a move in the right direction," Mr. Rabatin said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "move in the right direction" to indicate that actions or changes are leading towards a positive or desired outcome. It's particularly effective when discussing progress in projects, policies, or personal development.

Common error

Avoid using "move in the right direction" to describe something that is already in an ideal state. This phrase implies ongoing progress, not a static condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move in the right direction" functions as a verbal phrase, often used to describe the act of making positive progress toward a desired outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is both correct and effective in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "move in the right direction" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate positive progress towards a desired outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and formal business settings. While it implies a positive trend, it's essential to use it accurately to describe ongoing progress rather than static conditions. The analyzed authoritative sources suggest its widespread acceptance and appropriate use in professional communication. Related alternatives include "making positive progress" and "advance constructively", offering nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make positive progress

Focuses on the advancement being made, emphasizing the positive nature of the progress.

make headway positively

Focuses on making progress and using an adverb to emphasize positive movement.

progress positively

Highlights the act of progressing, adding an adverb to emphasize positive movement.

advance in a favorable manner

Highlights the advancement with an emphasis on the favorable nature of the advancement.

advance constructively

Highlights advancement with emphasis on it being constructive.

improve steadily

Focuses on the act of improving and uses an adverb to highlight the gradual nature of improvement.

develop beneficially

Focuses on the development process and emphasizes the beneficial nature of that development.

show positive development

Focuses on showing development and emphasizes the positive nature of that development.

head toward improvement

Emphasizes the destination as being an improved state or condition.

evolve favorably

Highlights the evolutionary nature of the advancement and notes that it's happening in a favorable way.

FAQs

How can I use "move in the right direction" in a sentence?

You can use "move in the right direction" to describe progress towards a goal, like in the sentence, "The new policies are a "step in the right direction" toward environmental sustainability."

What are some alternatives to "move in the right direction"?

Alternatives include "making progress", "improving steadily", or "advancing constructively", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "move in the right direction" or "moving in the right direction"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "move in the right direction" is often used when discussing a general trend or strategy, while "moving in the right direction" is used for ongoing action or progress. Example: "These policies help us move in the right direction" vs. "The company is moving in the right direction after the restructuring".

What does it mean when someone says something is a "move in the right direction"?

It means that the action or decision is considered to be a positive step toward achieving a desired outcome or goal. It suggests progress and improvement, even if there's still more work to be done.