towards the river

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'towards the river' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the direction of movement towards a river. For example: "I walked towards the river, listening to the birds singing in the trees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Head towards the river.

The Guardian - Travel

Walking left towards the river, I come to the centrepiece.

Independent

It lurches strangely towards the river with, to its right, the frigid More London development.

The Guardian - Travel

The tracks, all confused and deep, continued down the hillside towards the river.

The Guardian - Travel

On reaching a farm track by the wooded area, follow this towards the river.

The Guardian - Travel

They are revealing what appears to be a broad gravelled ceremonial road leading towards the river.

The Guardian

8 Cross the historic drive and follow the tree line towards the river.

The Guardian - Travel

Guangzhou South Avenue, looking towards the river, in 1991 and again in 2015.

The Guardian

She gestured with her fingers towards the river and Saadoun Street and Thawra and the western suburbs.

The Guardian

Double back on yourself towards the river and head right, along the Vltava's edge, to Kampa Island.

The Guardian - Travel

Then, as quickly as they arrived, the visitors were gone, heading very low over the field towards the river.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "towards the river" to clearly indicate movement or direction in relation to a river. Ensure the context provides a clear understanding of the starting point and the intended destination near the river.

Common error

Avoid using "towards the river" when you mean "along the river" or "across the river". "Towards" implies movement in the direction of, but not necessarily reaching, the river.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "towards the river" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate direction. It specifies the direction of an action or the orientation of something in relation to a river. Ludwig AI validates this usage with numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Travel

19%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

13%

Film

2%

Sport

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "towards the river" is a common prepositional phrase used to indicate direction in relation to a river. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news, travel writing, and general descriptions. It is best used when specifying movement or orientation with respect to a river, ensuring clarity about the direction. While "toward" is an alternative, "towards" is more commonly used in British English. Understanding its precise meaning is crucial to avoid misusing it when describing location or movement along or across the river.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the direction of the river

Specifies the orientation of the movement.

heading to the riverside

Highlights the act of moving to the riverbank area.

approaching the river

Emphasizes the nearing of the river.

river-bound

Implies being on the way to the river.

in route to the riverbank

Highlights the destination as the riverside.

making way to the river

Focuses on the act of clearing a path towards the river.

progressing towards the river

Emphasizes continued advancement toward the river.

moving in the river's direction

Describes motion coinciding with the river's position.

advancing towards the watercourse

Uses a more formal term for the river.

going toward the riverfront

Highlights motion in the direction of the riverfront area.

FAQs

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

You can use "towards the river" to describe movement or orientation, such as "They marched "towards the river" to get water" or "The city slopes "towards the river"".

What is a good alternative to "towards the river"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "in the direction of the river", "approaching the river", or "heading to the riverside".

Is it correct to say "toward the river" instead of "towards the river"?

Both "toward" and "towards" are acceptable and have the same meaning, but "towards" is more common in British English, while "toward" is more frequent in American English.

When should I use "towards the river" instead of "by the river"?

"Towards the river" indicates movement in the direction of the river. "By the river" indicates proximity without implying motion. Use "towards" to describe direction and "by" to describe location.