propel towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"propel towards" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is being encouraged or driven in a particular direction. For example, "This initiative will propel us towards our goal of increasing diversity in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the jet, the material is either melted or heat softened, and these molten or softened droplets flatten and propel towards a substrate to be deposited on it.

Progress in Biomaterials

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Intoxicated with his own insights, Galileo found himself propelled towards revolution.

The Guardian - Opinion

What suggests it is true is that the sediment from such a collapse would have been propelled towards the lake's centre, forming a large tongue of material on the lake bed.

The Economist

Sabu was ideal for the part; the son of an elephant driver in Mysore, he was spotted on the street by the documentary director Robert Flaherty and unexpectedly propelled towards movie stardom.

The Guardian - Books

The rapid process by which Karol Wojtyła has been propelled towards sainthood will be welcomed by many of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, who regard him as a towering figure who hastened the collapse of communism, encouraged interfaith dialogue and brought charisma to the church.

The Guardian

Only one rider can be propelled towards the summit.

BBC

Atomized molten metal is propelled towards the substrate through a stream of air.

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

Meteorites are the pieces of asteroids that have been propelled towards the Earth by collisions in the asteroid belt.

Handbook of Stable Isotope Analytical Techniques Volume I

could not accept the notion of potentiality on which Aristotle's theory of continuity rested, and so was propelled towards atomism in both its conceptual and physical senses.

SEP

The T6SS functions as a nano-crossbow: upon contraction of the sheath, the inner tube is propelled towards the target cell, allowing effector delivery.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research

The key imperative for regulators now, as we are propelled towards a more densely-packed universe of connected devices, is coming up with the sensornet's speed limits.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "propel towards", ensure the subject performing the action has the necessary force or influence to cause movement in the intended direction. For example, "The new marketing campaign aims to propel the company towards greater brand recognition."

Common error

Avoid using "propel towards" with subjects that cannot exert physical force or influence. Instead of saying "The weather propelled us towards a picnic", use a more appropriate verb like 'inspired' or 'motivated'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "propel towards" functions as a dynamic verb phrase indicating the application of force to move something in a specific direction. Ludwig provides examples where physical objects or abstract concepts are driven or encouraged toward a specific target.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "propel towards" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of moving or driving something in a specific direction, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is frequently seen in Science and News & Media contexts, and its neutral register makes it versatile for various writing styles. While not overly common, it effectively conveys a sense of force or influence leading to directional movement. To enhance writing, it's essential to use this phrase when the subject genuinely exerts a force or influence and to avoid misusing it with abstract subjects that cannot exert any physical action. Consider alternatives like "drive toward" or "push toward" for similar but nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drive toward

This suggests a strong force pushing in a direction, similar to propel, but with a sense of sustained effort.

push toward

Implies a direct and often forceful action in moving something or someone closer to a goal or location.

accelerate toward

Focuses on increasing speed while moving in a particular direction.

advance toward

Indicates steady progress in a specific direction, often in a deliberate and controlled manner.

steer toward

Suggests guidance or direction while moving towards something.

guide towards

Focuses on leading or directing something or someone towards a specific goal or destination.

motivate to

Highlights the reason that causes to move.

encourage to

Suggests inspiring towards a target.

draw close to

Highlights a gradual reduction of distance.

urge to

This emphasizes a pressing need or strong encouragement to move towards something.

FAQs

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

Use "propel towards" to describe a force that moves something in a specific direction. For example, "The wind propelled the sailboat towards the shore."

What is a good alternative for "propel towards"?

Alternatives include "drive toward", "push toward", or "accelerate toward", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "propel in the direction of" instead of "propel towards"?

Yes, "propel in the direction of" is grammatically correct, but "propel towards" is more concise and commonly used.

What does it mean to be 'propelled towards' a goal?

Being 'propelled towards' a goal means being strongly encouraged or driven to achieve it, often by external forces or influences.