steer the direction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steer the direction" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an individual or group of people who are guiding or influencing the future of something. Example sentence: "The board of directors was tasked with steering the direction of the company for the next five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The energy comes from the members, who set the agenda and steer the direction.

The Guardian

They're called catalysts, and they speed up chemical reactions and steer the direction of the changes that happen during the transformation from one chemical compound to another.

Stanford University

"We had all kinds of headlines, but we wanted to steer the direction of the conversation in a little bit more of a positive direction," said Gary Pascoe, the creative director at Team Detroit, the ad agency behind the posters.

The New York Times

Few in the opening days of the Trump administration dared to challenge Mr. Kushner's power to design his job or steer the direction of the White House as he saw fit.

The New York Times

We further identify the challenges to carrying out behavioral interventions in the Indian context and suggest a possible approach to overcome them and steer the direction of behavioral research in India.

Energy Research & Social Science

Trump has yet to appoint a secretary of state who will help steer the direction of the new era in Washington-Havana relations, and aside from appointing Mauricio Claver-Carone, executive director of a political action committee opposed to Cuban engagement, to his transition team for the treasury department, the president-elect has offered few clues.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

In an interview with Broadly, Spitz expanded upon the ways her mother has, at times, steered the direction of the series.

Huffington Post

If the city chose to negotiate in a certain way, I wouldn't want my projections to guide those negotiations". But those projections have quickly steered the direction of the city.

Los Angeles Times

This committee will steer the intellectual direction of the YCRC and advise on budgetary matters.

Yale University

Grandparents do much to steer the steady direction of a society.

The Guardian

The most it can do is attempt to steer the general direction of the ship.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "steer the direction" when emphasizing a conscious effort to guide or influence the course of events, decisions, or projects. This phrase is effective in contexts where strategic leadership and proactive guidance are key.

Common error

Avoid using "steer the direction" in contexts where the direction is already inherently determined or obvious. Overusing directional metaphors can dilute the impact of your message and make your writing sound redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steer the direction" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It typically acts as the predicate in a sentence, describing the action of guiding, influencing, or controlling the course or path of something. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "steer the direction" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression that emphasizes the act of guiding or influencing the course of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used in various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, with a generally neutral tone. While not exceptionally frequent, it's a valuable tool for conveying strategic leadership and proactive guidance. When using this phrase, consider alternative options such as "guide the course" or "influence the path" for nuanced expressions. Steer clear of overusing the phrase or in contexts where a more specific verb is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guide the course

Focuses more on guiding a pre-existing course rather than setting a new one. The emphasis is on navigation, not initiation.

influence the path

Emphasizes influence rather than direct control. It suggests a less forceful form of guidance.

shape the trajectory

Implies a longer-term effect, focusing on the overall path rather than immediate adjustments.

control the heading

Similar to steering but emphasizes navigational control and direction more explicitly.

direct the movement

Broader term that refers to movement in general and not necessarily a specific direction.

manage the orientation

Focuses on the orientation or alignment of something, not necessarily its overall direction.

regulate the orientation

Focuses on regulating the orientation of something, not necessarily its overall direction.

govern the trend

Implies a broader, more societal or market-driven context, where trends are guided.

channel the flow

Suitable when discussing resources or abstract concepts, emphasizing the management of a flow.

orient the planning

Specifically applicable when guiding planning processes, emphasizing strategic direction.

FAQs

How can I use "steer the direction" in a sentence?

You can use "steer the direction" to describe the act of guiding or influencing something. For instance, "The CEO aimed to steer the direction of the company towards sustainable practices."

What are some alternatives to "steer the direction"?

Alternatives include "guide the course", "influence the path", or "shape the trajectory", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is "steer the direction" formal or informal?

"Steer the direction" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more frequently found in professional and news-related content. The tone is generally neutral.

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

While similar, "steer the direction" implies a more active and deliberate effort to change or set a course, whereas "guide the direction" may suggest a more gentle or supportive influence.