veer towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"veer towards" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically means to tilt, move, or shift towards something. Example: The conversation veered towards the topic of politics.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Should we deliberately veer towards jay-walkers?

The Guardian - Opinion

Overall, both veer towards a traditional Preppy President style.

The New York Times

Films veer towards life and death, with minimal complications.

The Guardian - Film

Right now the murders veer towards comic than gory.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Vito's energy began to veer towards the manic end of the scale.

Independent

Instead, you need to veer towards shirts, previously the most boring garment known to humanity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some worry that his slick style could veer towards shallow populism.

The Economist

I guess maybe we veer towards darker roles because we want to stretch ourselves.

The Guardian - Film

His latest comments recognise the importance of identity, but veer towards the dismissal of marginalised voices.

The Guardian - Opinion

The only criticism is that many of the songs veer towards midtempo ballad territory.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A growing number veer towards Islamist groups that fill the vacuum left by the municipality with their own services.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose "veer towards" when you want to suggest a subtle shift rather than a sudden or abrupt change.

Common error

Avoid using "veer towards" when describing physical movement that is direct and intentional. Use it for subtle changes in direction or preference, not for things like driving straight "towards" a destination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "veer towards" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It typically modifies a verb, indicating a shift in direction or inclination, whether literal or figurative. Ludwig AI confirms its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "veer towards" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate a gradual shift in direction, opinion, or behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in news and media contexts. While it can be used in more formal writing, it generally maintains a neutral tone. To avoid common errors, it’s best to use "veer towards" when describing subtle changes rather than direct physical movement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incline toward

Implies a natural tendency or predisposition.

tend toward

Suggests a general direction or pattern of behavior.

gravitate to

Indicates a pull or attraction towards something.

lean towards

Implies a slight preference or bias.

move in the direction of

Describes a literal change in heading.

shift toward

Suggests a change from one thing to another.

develop into

Describes a gradual change.

progress to

Indicates an advancement or evolution.

head in the direction of

Describes setting a course or intention.

swing to

Implies a more forceful change in direction.

FAQs

How can I use "veer towards" in a sentence?

You can use "veer towards" to indicate a gradual shift in direction, opinion, or behavior. For example, "The discussion began to "veer towards" more controversial topics." You can also use it to talk about how a car is going to "veer towards" the center lane to make a wider turn.

What are some alternatives to "veer towards"?

Some alternatives to "veer towards" include "incline toward", "tend toward", or "lean towards", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "veer to" instead of "veer towards"?

While "veer" can be used on its own to mean change direction suddenly, "veer towards" implies a more gradual or subtle shift in direction or inclination. The choice depends on the specific context and the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "veer towards" and "gravitate to"?

"Veer towards" suggests a change in direction or inclination, while "gravitate to" implies a natural attraction or pull towards something. "Veer towards" focuses on the shift, while "gravitate to" emphasizes the attraction.