towards the ground

USAGE SUMMARY

"towards the ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when you want to describe an object or someone moving toward the ground. For example: The leaves fell gently towards the ground.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— and I saw it spinning towards the ground".

The New York Times

Then, with their toes interlocked, they tumble towards the ground.

The Guardian

iii) Exhale and gently lower yourself back down towards the ground.

The Guardian

After years spent looking towards the ground, for the first time my head turned upwards to infinity.

The Guardian

Slowly bend at the hip and place your hands on the bench, and look towards the ground.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

About 20 per cent of these form tornados: a funnel drops out of the cloud towards the ground.

Independent

The woods are deep in shade, the herbaceous plants gone to seed, tall stalks of foxgloves nodding towards the ground.

The Guardian

"Spinning... towards the ground, [Genesis] looked like nothing so much as a 420lb [190kg] custard pie," said the Daily Telegraph.

The Guardian

Invented by student Clay Moulton, the lamp is primed, then slowly falls down towards the ground.

TechCrunch

At the city's main train station officers and Forest stewards are directing fans towards the ground.

BBC

Suddenly, the German plane flips onto its back and dives towards the ground before exploding.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "towards the ground" to clearly indicate the direction of movement or orientation, especially when specifying a downward path or destination. For example: "The skydiver drifted gently towards the ground."

Common error

While both 'toward' and 'towards' are acceptable, choose one and maintain consistency within your writing. In American English, 'toward' is more common, while 'towards' is preferred in British English. Using both interchangeably can create a jarring reading experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "towards the ground" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs by indicating the direction of an action. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, where it describes movement or orientation in relation to the ground. As reported by Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "towards the ground" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase indicating a downward direction or orientation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for describing movement and position relative to the earth. It maintains a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general instructions. While alternatives like "downward" or "earthward" exist, "towards the ground" provides a clear and unambiguous indication of direction, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heading downward

Similar to "moving downward" but emphasizes direction.

in a downward direction

A more formal and explicit way of expressing the same concept.

earthward

A single word meaning "toward the earth".

moving downward

A more descriptive phrase indicating movement in a lower direction.

to the earth

Focuses more specifically on reaching the Earth's surface.

falling downward

Emphasizes the action of falling and its direction.

downward

This is a single-word adjective describing a direction, simpler but less descriptive.

on a downward trajectory

Implies a path or course that leads downwards.

descending

Implies a continuous downward motion.

plummeting to earth

Suggests a rapid and forceful fall.

FAQs

How can I use "towards the ground" in a sentence?

You can use "towards the ground" to describe movement or orientation in a downward direction. For example: "The injured bird limped "towards the ground"." or "He bent "towards the ground" to pick up the coin."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "towards the ground"?

Alternatives include "downward", "earthward", or "descending", depending on the specific context. For instance, if something is falling rapidly, "plummeting to earth" might be more appropriate.

Is it correct to use "toward the ground" instead of "towards the ground"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct. "Toward" is more common in American English, while "towards" is more common in British English. The meaning remains the same.

What is the difference between "towards the ground" and "on the ground"?

"Towards the ground" implies movement or direction, indicating something is moving or oriented downward. "On the ground" indicates something is already located on the ground's surface. For example: "The ball rolled "towards the ground"" vs. "The ball is "on the ground"".