tactic towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tactic towards" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when discussing a specific approach or strategy directed at a particular goal or situation, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "Our tactic towards improving customer satisfaction involves gathering feedback and implementing changes based on that input."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's a tactic towards a goal, and the goal here ultimately is for the US to join the long list of industrialized countries around the world that make it their business to offer a free public higher education system.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But look at Israel's Nazi-like tactics towards the Palestinians.

Independent

Another user added somewhat dramatically: "Boycott the company for there cheap under hand tactics towards consumers we expect it from nestle on yorkie bars but now caburys?" (sic).

Independent

Ed Miliband is being warned by anxious Labour figures that he needs to adopt sharper tactics towards Nicola Sturgeon in their next television debate.

The Guardian

This week he needs to start changing his strategy and tactics towards Europe if he is not to let Britain down in the future.

Independent

China is sharply critical of US pressure tactics towards North Korea and wants a resumption of the six-party nuclear disarmament talks.

The Guardian

During the visit of the Chinese president, Jiang Zemin, in October 1999, police tactics towards demonstrators, which included the forcible removal of protestors and seizure of their banners, prompted strong criticism.The Bush visit will be even worse.

The Economist

The government has said that the new law gives anyone with a passport both the right to leave Cuba and to return, so it appears that she will be able to come back after she leaves.The decision is evidence that the government is changing its tactics towards its critics.

The Economist

But the inevitable criticisms that David Cameron is now facing over his handling of the Juncker vote are not an excuse for him to now step back in Brussels - they are actually a reason for him to now change both his strategy and his tactics towards securing change in Europe.

Independent

No 10 insists the prime minister is not adopting hostile tactics towards the EU, although some pro-Europeans suggested that Cameron had crossed a line by appearing to use the threat of a referendum within a relatively short timetable to strengthen Britain's hand in the negotiations.

The Guardian

But many observers are worried that, as Mr Kirchner hits the campaign trail this week, he may be tempted to adopt similarly harsh tactics towards other international businesses.Now that Argentina is out of default, negotiations with foreign-owned utility companies have risen to the top of Mr Kirchner's economic agenda.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger alternatives like "strategy for" or "approach to" for increased clarity and formality, especially in professional and academic contexts. The phrase "tactic towards" is not commonly used and can sound awkward.

Common error

Avoid using "tactic towards" in formal or academic writing where more established phrases like "strategy for" or "approach to" would be more appropriate. Ensure the context warrants the use of "tactic" which often implies a specific, sometimes short-term, action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tactic towards" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically indicating the direction or orientation of a specific action or method. It describes how a particular "tactic" is applied or aimed in relation to a goal or situation, though as Ludwig AI suggests, more common alternatives may be preferable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

19%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically acceptable, the phrase "tactic towards" is not widely used and can sound somewhat awkward. Ludwig AI suggests that phrases like "strategy for" or "approach to" are generally preferred for clarity and formality. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When writing, it's important to consider stronger alternatives unless a very specific, sometimes short-term, action is meant. The expert rating reflects the phrase's grammatical soundness combined with its relatively low frequency and usage consistency, highlighting the importance of choosing the most effective phrasing for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strategy for

Emphasizes a planned series of actions designed to achieve a particular goal; more formal.

approach to

Suggests a method of dealing with a situation or problem; a more general term.

method for

Focuses on a specific procedure or way of doing something.

means of

Highlights the tool or resource used to achieve an end.

path to

Implies a course of action leading to a particular outcome.

route to

Similar to "path to", suggesting a specific direction or course.

way to

A general term for how something is done or achieved.

technique for

Refers to a skillful or efficient way of doing something.

formula for

Implies a set of instructions or steps that, if followed, will produce a desired result.

recipe for

Similar to "formula for", often used metaphorically to describe a set of conditions or actions.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "tactic towards"?

Alternatives include "strategy for", "approach to", or "method for", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "tactic towards" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "tactic towards" is less common than alternatives. It's generally understandable but may sound awkward to some native English speakers. As Ludwig AI points out, consider stronger alternatives for clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "tactic towards"?

"Tactic towards" can be used when describing a specific action directed at a particular goal, but it may be better to use alternatives that are more common and widely accepted. For instance "It's a "tactic towards" a goal" means "It's a strategy for a goal".

How does "tactic towards" differ from "strategy for"?

"Tactic towards" implies a specific, often short-term action, while "strategy for" suggests a more comprehensive plan. A tactic is typically a component of an overall strategy.