moves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as describing physical actions, changes in position, or metaphorical shifts in strategy or emotion. Example: "He makes quick moves on the chessboard, surprising his opponent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The EU executive in Brussels said on Wednesday that moves to reinstate the death penalty could incur curbs on Hungary's EU rights and entitlements.

The Guardian

The legislation will include not only the expected snooper's charter, enabling the tracking of everyone's web and social media use, but also moves to strengthen the security services' warranted powers for the bulk interception of the content of communications.

The Guardian

No one moves.

The Guardian - Arts

"We are ready to cover the issues that really matter to the country as it moves toward the federal election in September".

The Guardian

He was brought in to fill the gap left by the departure of George Ford for Bath – Leicester's opponents on Sunday – when Ford tired of playing second fiddle to the man he could well replace in the England team when Flood moves to France in the summer, probably to Toulouse, although that is yet to be confirmed.

The Guardian - Sport

They are particularly scathing about the coalition's reliance on the responsibility deal, in which food and drink firms voluntarily agree moves to reduce the harm their products can cause.

The Guardian

But when the prime minister's extremism task force reported in December 2013, it did not include any moves towards pre-broadcast censorship and the subject was presumed to have been dropped.

The Guardian

"It always feels to me that whenever we have big moves from media companies they always seem to happen at the end of the financial year so it does feel like a bit of a clearing of the decks for the next financial year," Burrowes told Guardian Australia.

The Guardian

Let that sink in for one second While the plot moves at breakneck speed through betrayal, blackmail, murder attempts and sex tapes, the script of The Royals is packed full of lines made for social media.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The park is then modelled in 3-D with the buildings around it, taking into account how the sun moves over the course as the day and changes position over the year.

The Guardian

With Labor, the Greens and the Palmer United party all vowing to oppose the $7 Medicare co-payment and long-term changes to pension eligibility and the pension age, these moves appear unlikely to pass the new Senate that sits from July, and other measures are likely to also face some opposition.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moves" to describe strategic actions or decisions, especially in business, politics, or sports contexts. It implies deliberate steps taken to achieve a specific goal.

Common error

Avoid using "moves" as a generic substitute for more precise verbs like "actions", "steps", or "changes". Choose the word that best reflects the specific nature of the action being described.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "moves" is as a noun, often plural, referring to deliberate actions or steps taken, particularly in strategic contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correctly used in various contexts, including those related to strategic decisions and physical actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Travel

5%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "moves" is a versatile noun commonly used to describe actions, steps, or maneuvers, particularly in strategic contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys widespread usage across various domains, including news, sports, and business. While broadly applicable, it's advisable to choose more precise alternatives like "actions" or "steps" when greater specificity is needed. As an overarching recommendation, strive to use "moves" when you mean deliberate, strategic actions aimed at achieving a specific outcome. Top sources like The Guardian and The New York Times frequently employ the term. Overall, "moves" is a valuable addition to any writer's lexicon, provided it is used with precision and awareness of its nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

actions

Focuses on the performance or process of doing something, emphasizing agency and initiative.

steps

Suggests a sequence of actions taken towards a specific goal, often implying a planned or deliberate approach.

measures

Implies formal or official actions taken to address a particular situation or problem, often by an authority.

maneuvers

Highlights strategic or tactical actions, often involving skill or cunning to gain an advantage.

shifts

Emphasizes changes in position, direction, or state, often implying a gradual or subtle transformation.

tactics

Refers to the specific methods or strategies used to achieve a goal, often in a competitive or adversarial situation.

advances

Suggests forward progress or development, often in a field or area of knowledge.

progress

Focuses on the overall improvement or development, often measured over time.

developments

Highlights the unfolding or evolution of events, often implying a series of changes or advancements.

changes

Emphasizes alterations or modifications, often implying a departure from a previous state.

FAQs

How can I use "moves" in a sentence?

You can use "moves" to describe strategic actions, like "The company's recent "moves" indicate a shift in strategy" or physical actions, like "The dancer's graceful "moves" captivated the audience".

What are some alternatives to using "moves"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "actions", "steps", or "maneuvers". Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "strategic moves" or "strategical moves"?

"Strategic moves" is the correct and more common phrase. "Strategical" is rarely used. Therefore, always use "strategic moves".

What's the difference between "moves" and "movements"?

"Moves" typically refers to specific actions or decisions, often strategic. "Movements" generally describes physical actions or motions, or broad social or political trends. For example, "The chess player made several clever "moves"", versus "The civil rights "movements"".