steer toward

USAGE SUMMARY

'steer toward' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to describe someone or something being guided in a particular direction. For example, "The driver of the boat steered toward the shore, his passengers glad to be close to safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Food

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"Steer Toward Rock" — coming 15 years after Fae Myenne Ng's acclaimed debut, "Bone" — grows out of this history, although it's never explicitly alluded to or raged against.

The New York Times

At the close of "Steer Toward Rock," the perspective shifts to Joice and Jack's daughter, Veda, grown up and feeling isolated and lonely, a condition she blames in part on her father's refusal to share the secrets of his past.

The New York Times

The captain failed to steer toward shore and instead continued upriver.

The New Yorker

Should Key West embrace its artsy, wealthier side and steer toward becoming a funkier version of Nantucket and the Hamptons?

The New York Times

Throughout his life, Stevenson preferred to circumnavigate civilization, with its increasing reliance on contraptions, and steer toward the rougher fringes.

The New York Times - Books

Eventually, analysts say, Europe's larger economies may need to steer toward a similarly active approach to stay competitive.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Young Claire was steered toward the piano.

The New York Times

The van accelerated slightly and steered toward him.

The New Yorker

My wife, Amy, was steered toward him by Zee.

The New York Times

Traditionally, learning disabled students were steered toward vocations.

The New York Times

He steered toward an undersea ledge called Flower's Rock.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "steer toward" to describe a deliberate change in direction or focus. For example, "The company decided to steer toward sustainable practices."

Common error

Avoid using "steer toward" when describing unintentional movements or inclinations. Use alternatives like "tend to" or "drift toward" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "steer toward" functions as a directive verb, indicating a course of action or a change in direction. It implies intentionality in guiding something or someone towards a specific goal or destination. Ludwig AI confirms the usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

18%

Food

9%

Less common in

Travel

6%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "steer toward" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe a deliberate change in direction or focus. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across a wide range of contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Travel. While alternatives like "gravitate towards" or "incline towards" exist, they often carry subtle differences in meaning. Therefore, it's essential to use "steer toward" when you want to convey a proactive approach towards achieving a desired outcome. This guide provides practical tips and addresses common errors to help you effectively incorporate "steer toward" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gravitate towards

This alternative suggests a natural attraction or tendency, subtly differing from intentional steering.

incline towards

This phrase implies a mental or emotional leaning, slightly less direct than physical steering.

lean toward

Similar to 'incline towards', but can also suggest a physical leaning, adding ambiguity.

head in the direction of

Indicates a movement toward a specific location or goal, focusing on the direction of travel.

move in the direction of

This phrase is more literal, suggesting a physical movement without the implication of guidance.

tend toward

Suggests a habitual or likely behavior, rather than a directed action.

aim for

Focuses on the intention to achieve something, rather than the act of moving towards it.

be guided toward

This implies an external force is directing the movement, changing the agency.

make advances toward

Suggests a step-by-step progression, which contrasts the direct path implied by the original phrase.

set a course for

Describes defining a specific goal or direction, with intent and precision.

FAQs

How to use "steer toward" in a sentence?

"Steer toward" is used to describe deliberately changing course or direction. For example, "The pilot had to steer toward a safe landing after the engine failed".

What can I say instead of "steer toward"?

You can use alternatives like "gravitate towards", "incline towards", or "lean toward" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "steer toward" or "steer towards"?

Both "steer toward" and "steer towards" are grammatically correct, but "steer toward" is more commonly used in American English. The version "steer towards" is more used in British English, although both versions are interchangeable.

What's the difference between "steer toward" and "drift toward"?

"Steer toward" implies a deliberate action to change course, while "drift toward" suggests a gradual, often unintentional movement.