sliding towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sliding towards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual movement or change in direction, often metaphorically, towards a particular state or condition. Example: "The company is sliding towards bankruptcy due to poor financial management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Turkey, At Energy Crossroads, Sliding Towards Authoritarianism.

Huffington Post

CHINA and Japan are sliding towards war.

The Economist

Ireland started sliding towards insolvency.

The Guardian - Opinion

The ratings are sliding towards zero.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If not, Britain is sliding towards nasty, sectarian decline.

The Guardian - Opinion

Europe, meanwhile, is sliding towards world war again.

The Guardian - Books

But Somalia was sliding towards two decades of civil war.

The Guardian - Sport

The common currency has been sliding towards disaster for months.

The Guardian

A mountain has been steadily sliding towards it.

The Economist

"The Zionist regime is definitely sliding towards collapse," he said.

The Economist

If we cannot act until stocks - of either kind - start sliding towards oblivion, we're knackered.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sliding towards" to describe a gradual, often unwanted, progression toward a specific state or condition. It's particularly effective when implying a lack of control or a negative trajectory.

Common error

While "sliding towards" is widely accepted, avoid overuse in strictly formal or academic writing where a more neutral phrase like "progressing towards" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sliding towards" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating a direction or movement. It suggests a gradual progression, often towards something undesirable. Ludwig AI supports this by showing examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sliding towards" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe a gradual movement or progression, often with negative connotations. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in news and media, while also appearing in science and business contexts. While widely accepted, it may be less suitable for strictly formal writing where a more neutral term is preferred. Remember to use "sliding towards" when emphasizing a lack of control or an undesirable trajectory.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moving toward

Focuses on direction and progression but is less evocative of a lack of control.

drifting toward

Emphasizes a passive movement, suggesting a lack of intent or control.

progressing toward

Highlights the advancement aspect, often implying improvement or development.

heading toward

Suggests a definite direction and destination, sometimes with purpose.

gravitating toward

Implies an attraction or pull towards a certain state or condition.

inching toward

Conveys a slow and gradual movement, often with some resistance.

tending toward

Indicates a natural inclination or predisposition towards something.

veering toward

Suggests a change in direction, often unexpectedly or unintentionally.

descending into

Implies a decline or deterioration towards a negative state.

approaching

Indicates closeness in time or space, less specific about the manner of movement.

FAQs

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

Use "sliding towards" to describe a gradual movement or change in direction, often metaphorically, towards a particular state or condition. For example: "The company is sliding towards bankruptcy due to poor financial management."

What are some alternatives to "sliding towards"?

You can use alternatives like "moving toward", "drifting toward", or "progressing toward" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "sliding towards"?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize a gradual and often unwanted movement or progression towards a certain state, implying a lack of control over the situation.

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

"Sliding towards" often implies a lack of control or a negative trend, while "moving towards" is a more neutral term indicating simple progression.