seek to steer

USAGE SUMMARY

"seek to steer" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you wish to express the idea of striving to take control of a given situation. For example: "The mayor sought to steer the town in a better direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But for that very reason Europeans should seek to steer the debate, not eschew it.

The Economist

Her supporters invoked the doctrine that a new parliament should not seek to steer an outgoing cabinet.

The Economist

Since the inception of modern urban planning in the early 20th century, numerous urban planning policies have been introduced that seek to steer urban form towards desired patterns.

Resources, Conservation and Recycling

He is also warning his European partners that the new Socialist administration will seek to steer the European Union away from free-market dogmatism towards a more interventionist approach.

Independent

This being a responsible news website, I obviously cannot suggest that you deliberately seek to steer into the paths of distracted walkers, though I suppose that's the logical extension of this approach.

The Guardian

The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs said yesterday that it would seek to steer immigrants from unscrupulous businesses that claim to help them in a lottery for visas.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Marchaisseau also seeks to steer us towards trance.

The Guardian

Ms. Merkel is seeking to steer the overall debate about Europe toward closer unity.

The New York Times

He had, however, impressed his examiners, who sought to steer him towards an area that best suited his abilities.

Independent

"It's never been about me," Mr. Steele said, seeking to steer any attention away from himself and onto Democrats.

The New York Times

Raggi, who is a mother, has sought to steer clear of putting too much emphasis on her gender.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seek to steer" when you want to convey a deliberate attempt to guide or influence a situation towards a specific outcome, often in complex or dynamic environments.

Common error

Avoid using "seek to steer" in simple, straightforward situations where direct action or guidance is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "They seek to steer the meeting," consider "They are guiding the meeting" for a more concise and effective statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek to steer" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used as part of a verb phrase. It indicates an intention or attempt to guide or direct something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seek to steer" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an effort to guide or influence something, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's most common in news, science, and business contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. When writing, use "seek to steer" to convey a deliberate attempt to guide a situation towards a specific outcome and avoid overusing it in simple scenarios. Consider alternatives like "aim to guide" or "strive to direct" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aim to guide

Focuses on guidance as the primary action, suggesting a softer approach than "steer".

work to shape

Emphasizes the process of shaping something, implying a gradual transformation.

strive to direct

Emphasizes the effort involved in directing, implying a more challenging task.

make an effort to orient

Highlights the effort involved in orienting something, implying a challenging task.

attempt to influence

Highlights the intention to affect something, without necessarily controlling it.

aspire to channel

Focuses on channeling efforts or resources, suggesting a more targeted approach.

endeavor to manage

Focuses on managing a situation, suggesting a more hands-on approach.

be inclined to navigate

Implies a preference for navigating a situation, suggesting a skillful handling.

try to control

Directly expresses the desire for control, which can be perceived as more assertive.

have the intention to govern

Expresses the intention to govern, suggesting a more authoritative role.

FAQs

How can I use "seek to steer" in a sentence?

You can use "seek to steer" to describe an effort to guide something. For example, "The organization will seek to steer resources toward environmental conservation efforts".

What is a good alternative for "seek to steer"?

Alternatives to "seek to steer" include "aim to guide", "strive to direct", or "attempt to influence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it most appropriate to use the phrase "seek to steer"?

It's best to use "seek to steer" when describing a deliberate and strategic effort to influence the direction of something, particularly in complex or dynamic situations.

Is there a difference between "seek to steer" and "try to control"?

"Seek to steer" implies guidance and influence, whereas "try to control" suggests a more direct and potentially forceful approach. The former is often more subtle and strategic.