to be directed at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be directed at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the intended audience or target of a message, action, or criticism. Example: "The criticism in the article seems to be directed at the government's handling of the crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This time the gunfire seemed to be directed at the police.

The New York Times

They evidently want as much as possible of the same to be directed at Miliband.

Independent

Friday's attack appeared to be directed at a shipment of missiles.

The New Yorker

Most of the anger from parish officials seems to be directed at BP, especially this week.

The New York Times

His rant didn't seem to be directed at anyone visible to anyone else.

The New York Times

The art of poetry was to be directed at the people.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"And most of that is going to be directed at Diego".

The New York Times - Sports

Certainly, parts of the press pack do not seem to be directed at parents.

The Guardian - Arts

Much of Mr. Bloomberg's generosity seems to be directed at his closest political allies.

The New York Times

None of that ill feeling, however, seemed to be directed at Esther.

The Guardian - Music

But Mr. Kim's most concerted efforts seem to be directed at the military, the critical power base for his son.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be directed at", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is being aimed or focused towards a specific target or purpose. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "to be directed at" without a clear indication of what the 'target' is. Vague or missing targets can confuse the reader and weaken the message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be directed at" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating where an action, intention, or focus is aimed. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing how it is used to specify the target of criticism, efforts, or resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be directed at" is a versatile passive verb construction used to indicate the target or focus of an action, message, or intention. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its prevalence across diverse sources, particularly news, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. Alternatives like "to be aimed at" or "to be targeted at" offer similar meanings, but understanding the nuances of each can improve precision in writing. When using this phrase, it is crucial to clearly identify the target to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be aimed at

Replaces 'directed' with 'aimed', emphasizing the intention or purpose behind the action.

to be targeted at

Substitutes 'directed' with 'targeted', highlighting a specific focus or goal.

to be focused on

Replaces 'directed at' with 'focused on', shifting the emphasis to concentration or attention.

to be geared towards

Uses 'geared towards' instead of 'directed at', suggesting a design or adaptation for a particular purpose.

to be intended for

Replaces 'directed at' with 'intended for', clarifying the purpose or destination.

to be addressed to

Substitutes 'directed at' with 'addressed to', indicating the recipient or target of a communication.

to be channeled to

Replaces 'directed at' with 'channeled to', suggesting a route or pathway for something to reach its target.

to be oriented towards

Uses 'oriented towards' instead of 'directed at', highlighting the alignment or positioning towards a specific goal.

to be assigned to

Replaces 'directed at' with 'assigned to', indicating a task or responsibility given to someone or something.

to be concentrated on

Substitutes 'directed at' with 'concentrated on', emphasizing a focused effort or resource allocation.

FAQs

How can I use "to be directed at" in a sentence?

Use "to be directed at" to indicate where something is aimed or focused. For example, "The criticism seemed "to be directed at" the government's new policy".

What are some alternatives to "to be directed at"?

You can use alternatives like "to be aimed at", "to be targeted at", or "to be focused on" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "to be directed at"?

While both are grammatically correct, the passive voice (e.g., "efforts need to be directed at") is often preferred to emphasize the action rather than the actor. The active voice (e.g., "direct efforts at") can be used when you want to highlight who or what is doing the directing.

What's the difference between "to be directed at" and "to be geared towards"?

"To be directed at" indicates a target or recipient, while "to be geared towards" suggests a design or adaptation for a specific purpose or audience. The former is about where something is pointed, the latter is about how something is designed.