to move toward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to move toward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of progressing or advancing in a particular direction, either physically or metaphorically. Example: "The company is making efforts to move toward a more sustainable business model."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would be hard to move toward dictatorship.

The New York Times

But he warned farmers to move toward using conventional seeds.

The New York Times

(His proposal to move toward consumption taxes is one example).

The New York Times

Third is to move toward ending trade embargoes against Myanmar.

The New York Times

There are four ways to move toward fixing this.

The New York Times

And public opinion is continuing to move toward marriage equality.

The New Yorker

He waited for Brad to move toward the bag.

The New Yorker

Her conclusion: "Wives are more inclined to move toward their husbands than husbands are to move toward their wives".

The New York Times

"To move toward a resolution, you have to build confidence".

The New York Times

"We have to move toward a political solution".

The New York Times

"I would love to move toward having an annual revaluation".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to move toward" to clearly indicate progress or intention in a specific direction. For instance, "The company is planning to move toward more sustainable practices" clearly signals a directional change.

Common error

Ensure the direction or goal is clearly defined after the phrase. Avoid statements like "We need to move toward improvements" without specifying what improvements you are referring to, which could be replaced by "We need "to move toward significant improvements" in efficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to move toward" functions as an infinitive phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It typically introduces a purpose or direction of an action. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is a valid and frequently used English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to move toward" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate progression, direction, or intention. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread application across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While variations exist, such as "to progress towards" or "to work towards", it's crucial to specify the direction for clarity and precision in writing. It maintains a neutral register, fitting seamlessly into both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to progress towards

Replaces "move" with "progress", emphasizing advancement.

to advance towards

Substitutes "move" with "advance", highlighting forward motion.

to head towards

Uses "head" instead of "move", suggesting a directed journey.

to work towards

Emphasizes effort and intention in achieving a goal.

to aim for

Focuses on the target or objective being pursued.

to aspire to

Highlights ambition and desire in reaching a particular state.

to gravitate towards

Suggests a natural tendency or inclination.

to shift towards

Indicates a change in direction or focus.

to incline toward

Implies a leaning or predisposition.

to develop in the direction of

Uses a more complex structure to convey the idea of growth in a certain direction.

FAQs

How can I use "to move toward" in a sentence?

Use "to move toward" to describe making progress or heading in a specific direction. For example, "The project is starting "to move toward completion"".

What are some alternatives to "to move toward"?

You can use alternatives such as "to progress towards", "to advance towards", or "to work towards" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to move toward" or "to move towards"?

Both "to move toward" and "to move towards" are generally considered correct, with "toward" being more common in American English and "towards" in British English. However, "to move toward" is more concise.

What's the difference between "to move toward" and "to work toward"?

"To move toward" generally indicates a change in direction, while "to work toward" implies effort and action taken to achieve a specific goal. For example, "They are working toward a solution" suggests active problem-solving.