redirect

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "redirect" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when talking about a process of making someone or something go in a different direction than originally planned, or when referring to a website feature that sends a visitor to a different page. For example, "My internet search results were redirected to a different website."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Burt Lancaster is a clean-cut cop trying to redirect Scott's libido.

The Guardian - Film

I know I can't redirect public funds towards the charities I would wish to, so if buying a Christmas single sends money in the direction of a cause I'd like to support, I will.

The Guardian - Music

Back in the 67th, Gulotta says he seeks out young people who are hanging out with gangs, and their parents, to try to redirect them before it goes too far.

The Guardian

He said that was the heart of this year's game-changing school-finance win – to ensure equal education opportunities for disadvantaged populations at a moment when the richest Kansans want to redirect funds from public to private education.

The Guardian

You say all your energy is going into your recovery, but now you need to redirect some of it into your relationship.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now it's been withdrawn – and its servers turned off for old versions of the app – and Siri's pages redirect to Apple's site.

The Guardian - Tech

Not only would home-owning seniors benefit, but the government would be able to redirect funds to those who need it most, such as increasing rent assistance to non-homeowner pensioners and increasing the base rate for those who are completely dependent on the pension.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some security firms now offer a "scrubbing" service that allows a site under attack to redirect traffic through the security firm's servers, which remove (scrub) the bad requests and send legitimate ones through.

The Economist

Rather than complaining to Apple about its use of DRM, he suggests, "those unhappy with the current situation should redirect their energies towards persuading the music companies to sell their music DRM-free".

The Economist

So drugs firms may now have decided to redirect that money into giant acquisitions that could jump-start their innovation machines.Finally, the weak dollar has made it cheaper for foreigners to take over American firms.

The Economist

Such investments would create a short-term boost in construction and electronic employment throughout Europe and help redirect investment to knowledge-based industries.KARIN AHL President Fibre to the Home Council Europe BrusselsSIR – You argued that the German government could increase infrastructure spending because "the rules of the debt-brake are excessively rigid".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "redirect" in technical contexts such as web development, ensure the term accurately reflects the function of sending users from one URL to another. Consider using more specific terms if the context requires it.

Common error

Avoid using "redirect" when you simply mean 'guide' or 'suggest'. "Redirect" implies a more forceful change of direction, whereas 'guide' or 'suggest' offer a choice.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "redirect" is as a transitive verb, indicating the act of changing the direction or focus of something. It requires a direct object to complete its meaning. Ludwig provides many examples, such as redirecting funds or traffic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "redirect" functions primarily as a verb that indicates changing the course or direction of something. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing a multitude of examples where "redirect" is used in various contexts, most commonly in News & Media sources. The word choice of "redirect" is often neutral and widely accepted, making it an effective way to describe a change of direction. It's important to remember that while "redirect" suggests a forceful change, related terms like "guide" or "suggest" can be more suitable when implying a more gentle and voluntary shift.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reroute

Focuses specifically on changing a route or path.

Divert

Suggests turning something aside from its original course.

Rechannel

Implies directing something into a new channel or pathway.

Reorient

Indicates a change in perspective or focus.

Reallocate

Suggests distributing resources to a different place or purpose.

Shift

Implies a slight change in position or direction.

Transfer

Focuses on moving something from one place to another.

Convert

Suggests changing something into a different form or function.

Transform

Implies a significant change in nature or appearance.

Adjust

Indicates making a small change to improve something.

FAQs

How can I use "redirect" in a sentence?

You can use "redirect" to describe changing the direction of something, like "The company decided to "redirect funds" to a new project", or in the context of web URLs, "The old website address will "redirect to" the new one".

What's a good alternative to "redirect" when discussing a change in focus?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, alternatives to "redirect" include "reorient", "shift", or "divert". Each of these carries a slightly different connotation.

When is it appropriate to use "redirect" versus "guide"?

"Redirect" is appropriate when something is actively being sent in a new direction, often without a choice. "Guide" implies more of a suggestive influence. For example, traffic can be "redirected" during road construction, while a mentor might "guide" a student's career choices.

Is it correct to use "redirect" to describe influencing someone's opinion?

While you could technically say someone is trying to "redirect" public opinion, it might be more accurate to use words like "influence", "sway", or "guide", as "redirect" suggests a more forceful change of course.