prevailing direction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prevailing direction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the dominant or most common trend, course, or orientation in a particular context, such as in discussions about wind patterns, market trends, or social movements. Example: "The prevailing direction of the wind during the storm caused significant damage to the coastal areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Digging deeper Never lever land Dram drama What goes up An honest living Cautions to the wind The Germans strike back Andy Burnham's big battle ReprintsHowever, the prevailing direction of movement is changing.

The Economist

This encouraged me to think over the prevailing direction of my career and to change its course a little bit.

Science Magazine

If perceptual processing occurs in a parallel processing architecture without any prevailing direction of information flow then there is no sense in labeling one part of that architecture as earlier or later than any other.

SEP

We designed the arena to have only one likely candidate reference point (the nest box), and measured the angle between the prevailing direction along which the mouse transferred the disc and the nest box.

BMC Ecology

Meteorological data such as daily wind speed, wind prevailing direction and temperature were obtained from the Omani Department of Meteorology for the period of January 1, 2006, and December 31 , 2010

BMC Public Health

In any case, it's always blowing and, happily for me, the prevailing direction is from the west.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The wind rose gives the following information: – The wind velocity has not prevailing directions; – The investigated urban area has a weak wind potential.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

In addition, the results of this study indicate that prevailing directions of H. halys flight changes over a day generally toward the opposite direction from the sun's position, especially in the morning.

Bulletin of Entomological Research

Low wind speeds showed no directional character, although moderate winds came from two prevailing directions due to the synoptic weather systems affecting the Iberian Peninsula with a 5 6 day period.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

Wind direction and speed rose diagrams revealed the prevailing wind direction in each wind area along the railways, and this is the wind direction from which the maximum frequency of sandstorms occurred.

Atmospheric Environment

Two prevailing directions have been observed and delimited, East North East (ENE) and West South West (WSW).

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing phenomena like wind or currents, use "prevailing direction" to specify the most frequent or influential direction over a period of time.

Common error

Avoid using "prevailing direction" to describe short-term fluctuations. This phrase is best suited for indicating trends observed over a significant duration, not momentary changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevailing direction" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting the most common or dominant direction of something, such as wind or a trend. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate and consistent use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prevailing direction" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe the dominant course or trend, especially concerning directional phenomena. Ludwig AI highlights its versatility and appropriateness across various fields, including science, news, and encyclopedic contexts. While alternatives like ""dominant trend"" or ""main course"" exist, "prevailing direction" is particularly apt for long-term trends. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a sustained pattern rather than short-term fluctuations for clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dominant trend

Focuses on the trend being dominant or most noticeable.

general tendency

Emphasizes the overall inclination or pattern.

main course

Highlights the primary or principal direction something is taking.

common trend

Focuses on the trend being usual or widespread.

overriding inclination

Suggests a powerful or compelling tendency.

principal orientation

Emphasizes the primary alignment or direction.

typical pattern

Highlights a recurring and representative pattern.

characteristic course

Suggests a course that is typical and expected.

predominant movement

Focuses on the most significant or noticeable movement.

average direction

Highlights the direction considered typical or normal.

FAQs

How can I use "prevailing direction" in a sentence?

You can use "prevailing direction" to describe a dominant trend or course. For example, "The "prevailing direction" of the wind influenced the ship's route."

What's a good substitute for "prevailing direction"?

Alternatives include "dominant trend", "general tendency", or "main course", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "prevailing direction" when talking about opinions?

While "prevailing direction" is more commonly used for physical phenomena like wind or currents, you could use it metaphorically to describe the general "dominant sentiment" or trend in opinions.

What is the difference between "prevailing direction" and "common direction"?

"Prevailing direction" suggests a dominant or most influential direction, while "common direction" simply indicates a direction that is frequently observed, without necessarily being the most impactful.