move towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"move towards" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something making progress or working towards a goal. For example, "The company is slowly but surely moving towards its goal of becoming a worldwide leader in renewable energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some key swing states move towards Romney.

The New Yorker

We have to just move towards it".

The New York Times - Sports

Britain's government wants to move towards the American model.

The Economist

The move towards parliamentary democracy is a noble endeavour.

The Economist

Washington wants to move towards a fourth round of sanctions.

Independent

The move towards laptops and mobile computing reinforces this.

The Economist

When they see a popular movement, they'll move towards it.

The New Yorker

"We want to move towards a more independent shoe store".

The New York Times

How did the move towards Protestantism manifest itself?

Independent

The prosecution says: Why would he move towards the danger?

Independent

Government should move towards "non gendering" official records.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "move towards" to indicate a deliberate shift or progression towards a specific goal or state. Be clear about what the target is to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Ensure that the target of the movement is clearly defined. Saying "We need to move towards improvement" is less effective than "We need to move towards a 10% reduction in errors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move towards" functions as a verb phrase indicating directionality and progression. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing advancements, changes, and efforts aimed at achieving a particular goal or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "move towards" is a versatile verb phrase that effectively conveys the idea of making progress or shifting direction towards a specific goal. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general communication. While alternatives like "progress toward" or "advance toward" exist, "move towards" maintains a neutral register and provides a clear indication of intent and direction. When using the phrase, clarity in defining the target destination is crucial to avoid ambiguity. The phrase is most frequently used in News & Media and Scientific domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progress toward

Replaces "move" with "progress", emphasizing advancement.

advance toward

Uses "advance" to suggest forward movement, possibly with more momentum.

head in the direction of

More descriptive, specifies a direction rather than just movement.

work toward

Focuses on the effort involved in achieving a goal.

gravitate toward

Implies a natural pull or attraction toward something.

shift toward

Suggests a change in position or focus.

lean toward

Indicates a preference or inclination.

make strides toward

Highlights significant progress being made.

drift toward

Implies a slow, gradual movement without a specific plan.

incline toward

Suggests a tendency or predisposition.

FAQs

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

You can use "move towards" to indicate progress or a shift in direction. For example, "The company is starting to "move towards" a more sustainable business model".

What are some alternatives to "move towards"?

Some alternatives include "progress toward", "work toward", or "advance toward" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "move to" instead of "move towards"?

While "move to" indicates a complete change or relocation, "move towards" suggests an ongoing process or gradual shift. The choice depends on whether the destination has been fully reached or is still in progress.

When is it appropriate to use "shift toward" instead of "move towards"?

"Shift toward" implies a change in focus or position, whereas "move towards" suggests a broader sense of progress or approaching a goal. Use "shift toward" when the emphasis is on altering direction or emphasis.