moving towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"moving towards" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a gradual progression towards a certain goal or outcome. For example, "The company is moving towards more sustainable business practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Yes, The Radiation Plume From Japan Is Moving Towards California.

The New York Times

"We're moving towards losing.

The New York Times - Sports

Syria is moving towards a civil war.

The Economist

"It's moving towards a market economy".

The New York Times

It's moving towards our border.

The New York Times

A hand is moving towards my bowl.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Yes, it's moving towards our border.

The New York Times

"We're moving towards a Putinesque situation".

The Guardian - Opinion

He's slowly moving towards that better balance".

The Guardian - Sport

By 1910, painting was moving towards abstraction.

The Guardian

We are moving towards a streaming world".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moving towards" to describe gradual shifts, progress, or development in a specific direction. It's effective when you want to highlight a trend or ongoing process.

Common error

Don't use "moving towards" when describing a static or completed state. The phrase implies ongoing action, so it's inappropriate for situations that have already reached a conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moving towards" functions primarily as a prepositional verb phrase, indicating direction, progression, or tendency. It's used to describe a gradual shift or development, as confirmed by Ludwig AI and exemplified in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "moving towards" is a versatile and frequently used prepositional phrase that signifies progression, direction, or tendency. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for describing gradual shifts in various contexts, from news and media to science and formal business settings. While interchangeable with alternatives like "progressing toward" or "approaching", it's important to avoid overuse in static or completed contexts. Its prevalence across authoritative sources underscores its widespread acceptance and utility in contemporary English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progressing toward

Emphasizes a forward movement, often in a series of steps.

advancing toward

Implies a deliberate and often strategic movement forward.

heading in the direction of

Focuses on the direction or path being taken.

tending toward

Suggests a natural inclination or predisposition.

shifting toward

Indicates a change in position or orientation.

gravitating toward

Implies a natural attraction or pull towards something.

evolving toward

Suggests a gradual development or transformation.

developing into

Emphasizes the process of becoming something different.

becoming

Offers a simpler, more direct way to express the idea of changing into something else.

approaching

Focuses on the act of getting closer to a specific point or destination.

FAQs

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

You can use "moving towards" to indicate a progression or trend. For example, "The company is "moving towards" a more sustainable business model" or "The project is "moving towards" completion".

What are some alternatives to "moving towards"?

Alternatives include "progressing toward", "advancing toward", or "heading in the direction of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "moving toward" or "moving towards"?

Both "moving toward" and "moving towards" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on regional preference or stylistic considerations. The version with 's' is more common in British English.

What's the difference between "moving towards" and "approaching"?

"Moving towards" implies an ongoing process or trend, while "approaching" suggests getting closer to a specific point or destination. For example, you might say "The deadline is "approaching"" but "The company is "moving towards" a new strategy".