southward

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'southward' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the direction of an action or movement that is going towards the south. For example, "The migrants moved southward in search of better opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The jihadists, rolling southward towards Baghdad, were soon up against a border with Kurdistan that stretches for more than 1,000km (621 miles), coming almost within artillery range of Erbil.

The Economist

Some are twice as valuable in China, even though mainland money can now more easily slosh southward into the Hong Kong market.Retail investors, long the "greater fools" of stockmarket booms and busts, are piling in.

The Economist

Mongols in Inner Mongolia see little attraction in unification with the far poorer Mongolian republic to the north (and few in the republic show much interest in expanding their territory southward).

The Economist

Beaches from Washington state to southern California took a pounding during the winter of 2009-10, withethe shoreline being eroded hundreds of feet in some places by storms heading in a southward direction.

The Economist

Barack Obama has said that America should do more to halt the southward flow of guns and laundered money to the traffickers.

The Economist

Or, as the British favoured, to strike around the soft Mediterranean underbelly, so as to draw substantial German forces southward, a decision that led to vicious fighting in central Italy.

The Economist

The southward rush of capital that occurred in the 2000s may therefore have pushed Greece much, much farther beyond potential than was the case in Spain or Portugal.

The Economist

They are born near the equator and scythe southward.

The Economist

But that is not the whole story of Russia's southward expansion, says Mr Crews.

The Economist

As it did so many times in the past, Yunnan is once again looking outward and southward for economic opportunities, but this time it has the blessings and support of the mandarins in Beijing.Over the past 20-odd centuries, Yunnan has often been more closely aligned and better economically integrated with its neighbours to the south than with the Chinese to the north.

The Economist

We spend a pleasant half-dozen hours in their company before returning to the southward road.Back to top >>ThursdayNOT every town in this area has gone grumblingly into that good weekenders' night: some have rushed to greet it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "southward" when you want a concise, directional adverb that clearly indicates movement or orientation toward the south. For instance, "The flock migrated southward for the winter" is more succinct than "The flock migrated towards the south for the winter".

Common error

Avoid using "southward" as a noun. It functions primarily as an adverb or adjective. Instead of saying "The southward is warmer", say "The southern region is warmer" or "The area to the south is warmer".

Linguistic Context

The adverb "southward" primarily functions to indicate direction or movement towards the south. It modifies verbs to specify the direction of an action, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples like "rolling southward towards Baghdad" or "scythe southward".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "southward" is a versatile adverb used to denote movement or direction towards the south. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While "southward" is generally neutral in register, writers should avoid using it as a noun and be mindful of potential redundancy when paired with "direction". Alternatives like "towards the south" or "southerly" can offer stylistic variation. Understanding these nuances ensures precise and effective communication when describing southerly movements or orientations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

towards the south

This alternative is a more descriptive and less concise way of saying "southward".

in a southerly direction

This alternative provides a slightly more formal tone compared to "southward".

to the south

A simple and direct alternative, suitable for contexts where brevity is preferred.

heading south

This phrase emphasizes the action of moving south.

in the direction of south

This is a more verbose and less common way of expressing the same direction.

southerly

A single-word adjective or adverb conveying the direction or orientation toward the south.

southbound

Typically used to describe transportation moving in the direction of the south.

down south

An informal expression referring to the southern region of a country or area.

on a southern course

This implies a planned or deliberate movement in a southern direction.

advancing to the south

Emphasizes the progress or forward movement in a southern direction.

FAQs

How can I use "southward" in a sentence?

"Southward" is typically used as an adverb to indicate direction. For example, "The ship sailed "southward"" or "The city expanded "southward" after the war".

What's the difference between "southward" and "southern"?

"Southward" indicates direction or movement toward the south, while "southern" describes a location or characteristic of the south. For instance, you might say "They traveled "southward" to reach the southern coast".

Is it correct to say "southward direction"?

While understandable, "southward direction" is somewhat redundant. It's generally better to use ""southward"" alone or rephrase it as "southerly direction".

What are some alternatives to the word "southward"?

Alternatives include "towards the south", "in a southerly direction", or simply "south", depending on the context.