steer

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "steer" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used as a verb meaning to guide or direct something, or to influence the direction taken. For example, "We steered the conversation towards the topic of the upcoming election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm struggling to find a decent stats site, any variation of googling throws up gambling sites, which I need to steer clear of... ...... Eberhard Spohd has the following for what happens if every match finishes 0-0.

The Guardian - Sport

Now his job is to steer Orient away from the bottom four and resurrect a campaign that began with a play-off hangover, tasked by the club's new owner, Francesco Becchetti, with developing a side capable of promotion to the Championship.

The Guardian - Sport

The winner came midway through the second half when Liam Boyce and Michael Gardyne combined on the right, and when Gardyne swung over the cross to the back post Jamie Reckord was free to steer the ball into the empty net.

The Guardian - Sport

If he gets the chance Miliband might steer a divided Britain towards a gentler, social democratic Britain along German or Scandinavian lines.

The Guardian

"I hope that this is the start of something," said Mamadou Sakho, the hulking Liverpool defender who was on the spot to make the difference to steer in two of France's required three goals, although one was recorded as an own goal in the end.

The Guardian - Sport

Poroshenko will also need to steer a delicate geopolitical path, moving the country towards closer ties with Europe demanded by the Euromaidan protests that swept out the government of Viktor Yanukovych in February, while improving relations with Russia, Ukraine's often belligerent neighbour.

The Guardian

The tumbling ruble and the drop in the price of oil have helped steer Kazakhstan's economy into a cul-de-sac, slowing growth projections, forcing officials to recalculate the budget, and suggesting the tenge is overvalued.

The Guardian

In both these cases, ordinary people used technologies of connection to help them steer their own affairs, not merely managing complex domains to a minimal threshold of competence, but outperforming the official bodies formally entrusted with their stewardship.

The Guardian

A document dated in late July said the disability minister discussed possible changes to incapacity benefits and gave a clear steer to civil servants on the importance of freezing or uprating benefit rates below inflation as a way of controlling costs.

The Guardian

This "grassroots" movement is now about to embark on an "Opt Out" tour of 20 college towns across the country as part of its effort to steer young people away from the Obamacare exchanges.

The Guardian - Opinion

"A 'Yes' vote will give him very little confidence that we are prepared to steer the Independent print brands on a course that can lead them to safety and sustainability.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "steer" in a formal context, ensure the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The committee will steer the project towards its completion" is clearer than "The project will be steered."

Common error

Avoid using "steer" in the passive voice without a clear agent. Ambiguous phrasing like "The company was steered towards failure" can obscure responsibility. Specify who or what influenced the direction to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "steer" is as a verb. It signifies the action of guiding or directing the course or path of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usage as a verb in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "steer" is a versatile verb widely used to denote guiding or directing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Found predominantly in "News & Media" and "Formal & Business" contexts, "steer" implies control or influence over direction, as seen in examples like "steer the conversation" or "steer the company". While generally neutral in tone, clarity is crucial, especially when used in the passive voice. Alternatives such as "guide", "direct", and "navigate" offer similar meanings, enriching your vocabulary and refining your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guide

This alternative focuses on providing direction or leadership.

direct

This alternative emphasizes controlling the course or path of something.

manage

This alternative suggests controlling and organizing a situation or entity.

navigate

This alternative highlights the act of finding a way through a complex situation or environment.

channel

This alternative implies directing something into a specific path or direction.

influence

This alternative focuses on having an effect on the direction or outcome of something.

conduct

This alternative refers to organizing and carrying out something.

handle

This alternative suggests dealing with or managing a situation or problem.

govern

This alternative emphasizes the act of ruling or controlling a group or entity.

orient

This alternative focuses on aligning something with a specific direction or goal.

FAQs

How can I use "steer" in a sentence?

You can use "steer" to mean guiding something, like "I need to "steer the conversation"" or directing a vehicle, as in "He learned how to "steer the boat"".

What are some synonyms for "steer"?

Some alternatives to "steer" include "guide", "direct", "manage", and "navigate". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "steer clear of"?

Yes, "steer clear of" is an idiomatic expression meaning to avoid something or someone. For example, "It's best to steer clear of conflicts."

What's the difference between "steer" and "guide"?

"Steer" typically implies controlling the direction of something in motion, like a vehicle or a project, whereas ""guide"" suggests leading or showing the way, often involving advice or assistance.