toward this direction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "toward this direction" is not correct in standard English; it should be "in this direction" or "toward that direction." You can use it when indicating a specific way or path someone should follow, but it is better to use the correct alternatives.
Example: "If you want to reach the park, just walk toward this direction."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The former category involves models based on directed graphs and the most successful approaches toward this direction are Probabilistic Latent Semantic Analysis (PLSA) [1], Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) [2], Correlated Topic Models (CTM) [3] and Pachinko Allocation Model (PAM) [4].

Data Science and Engineering

This study was a step forward toward this direction.

The Guardian

"Now they deal with it like it could be a ball of light". He added: "Two factors pushed the regime toward this direction.

The New York Times

Here, we describe our efforts toward this direction by a simple colloidal method to engineer quinary Cu3ZnInSnSe6 (CZITSe) nanocrystals with different crystal phases and shapes.

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

Cascading simulation approaches on different scales, with small-scale approaches provide constitutional correlations to larger scale approaches, is considered a practical way toward this direction.

Chemical Engineering Science

Toward this direction, we develop a tool, named Reverse Engineering Finite State Machine (REFSM), that helps end-users reconstruct a high-level description of the control logic from a flattened netlist.

Integration, the VLSI Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

They have traditionally held back from independent measurement/verification of viewing stats, but the massive amount of money at stake is creating unstoppable pressure toward change in this direction.

TechCrunch

And there was even some evidence that the White House might be groping in this direction — toward reforms that would seek stability more than radical change, tilting the entire system away from low-skilled immigration and toward recruitment, and compromising between restrictionists and enthusiasts by trying to keep the overall immigration rate about the same.

The New York Times

We want to make sure his descendants do well, and he is facing this direction toward the mountain".

Huffington Post

If the North Koreans insist on moving toward this negative direction, they will increasingly isolate themselves".

The New York Times

Coming releases by two major acts point toward this new direction.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating a general direction, prefer using "in this direction" or "that direction". For instance, "The wind is blowing in that direction" is clearer and more concise than using the original phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "toward this direction" because it's generally considered redundant. The word "direction" already implies "toward", so using "in this direction" is grammatically more sound and less verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase primarily functions as an adverbial phrase indicating movement or orientation. It specifies the path or way an action or idea is progressing. As noted by Ludwig AI, the construction is often considered grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

21%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "toward this direction" appears in some published works, it is generally considered grammatically questionable and redundant. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is often flagged for grammatical errors. Prefer using alternatives like "in this direction" or other more precise phrases depending on the context. Although present across various fields, including science and news media, it's best to reserve "toward this direction" for informal contexts and opt for clearer alternatives in formal writing to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in this direction

Uses a preposition of location to indicate movement without the redundancy.

in that direction

Specifies a direction that is not where the speaker is.

along these lines

Indicates similarity in approach or thought, rather than physical direction.

in this regard

Focuses on a specific aspect or point, relating to a broader topic.

towards this objective

Indicates movement towards a specific aim or target.

in pursuit of this goal

Highlights the aim or objective being followed.

with this aim in mind

Emphasizes the intention behind an action or decision.

working towards this target

Emphasizes effort and progress towards a defined goal.

with a view to this purpose

Highlights the intent to achieve a particular outcome.

aiming at this outcome

Specifies the desired result or consequence.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "toward this direction"?

Instead of "toward this direction", you can use phrases like "in this direction", "in that direction", or "along these lines" depending on the context.

Why is "toward this direction" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase is often seen as redundant because "direction" inherently implies "toward". Using "in this direction" or "towards this objective" is more concise and grammatically sound.

Is it ever appropriate to use "toward this direction"?

While it appears in some published works, it's generally best to avoid "toward this direction" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "with this aim in mind" or "in this regard" to enhance clarity.

Which is more common, "toward this direction" or "in this direction"?

"In this direction" is significantly more common and widely accepted in standard English compared to "toward this direction". It is preferred for its grammatical correctness and conciseness.