walk in the direction of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "walk in the direction of" is correct and usable in written English.
It may be used when someone wants to signify that they are going in a certain direction, such as: "We decided to walk in the direction of town to get a bite to eat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Why did you walk in the direction of the man instead of running?

The New Yorker

I would walk in the direction of my new office and evaluate options on the way.

The New York Times

If she did she'd have to walk in the direction of that place and there was no place".

The New York Times - Books

She saw two of them walk in the direction of the bank, and then a few minutes later, saw them running back to the car".

The New York Times

The descent took about half an hour, and, on reaching the plaza, Nicole began to walk in the direction of the Brooklyn Bridge.

The New Yorker

They decided to stay on the road as long as it was safe and to walk in the direction of the border, in the hope of finding the rest of the party.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

I walked in the direction of a giant bonfire with more than 100 people circled around it.

The Guardian

A group of yeshiva students appeared, walking in the direction of the Tomb of the Patriarchs, a two-thousand-year-old stone palace.

The New Yorker

For a moment he stands still on the sidewalk and looks both ways, then he starts walking in the direction of the Mabillon Métro station.

The New Yorker

The video, at times to hard decipher, shows Mr. Sombath being stopped, getting out of his jeep and walking in the direction of the police checkpoint.

The New York Times

Once the reality of it nudged her, Serena Williams pressed her fingers against her eyes to dam her emotions and walked in the direction of her subdued big sister.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "walk in the direction of" when you want to specifically emphasize the act of walking towards a place or thing, rather than just arriving there.

Common error

Avoid using "walk in the direction of" excessively in your writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound verbose. Consider using simpler alternatives like "head towards" or "go to" for a more concise style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "walk in the direction of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb of motion. It indicates the general path or orientation of someone's movement, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "walk in the direction of" serves to describe movement toward a place or thing. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct. While common across various contexts such as News & Media, Wiki, and Science, it's important to consider conciseness. Simpler alternatives like "head towards" or "go to" may be more appropriate in some situations. This phrase functions as a prepositional phrase and serves the purpose of showing direction without confirming arrival. Remember to use it purposefully to add clarity and detail to your writing, while avoiding overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

head towards

This is a more concise way of saying "walk in the direction of", focusing on the destination.

go towards

A simple and direct alternative, suitable for most contexts.

proceed to

Implies a more formal or deliberate movement.

advance toward

Suggests a more purposeful and steady movement.

make one's way to

Adds a sense of effort or journey to the movement.

move in the heading of

Similar in meaning, but might imply an orientation, which is more suitable when a person is not actually moving.

set out for

Implies a deliberate start to a journey towards a specific location.

steer toward

Suggests guiding or directing oneself toward a destination.

drift toward

Describes a gradual or passive movement in a direction.

in the pursuit of

Highlights the goal or objective that motivates the movement, rather than the physical act of walking.

FAQs

How can I use "walk in the direction of" in a sentence?

You can use "walk in the direction of" to describe someone moving towards a specific location or object. For example, "He decided to "walk in the direction of" the library after lunch."

What are some alternatives to "walk in the direction of"?

Alternatives include "head towards", "go towards", or "move toward", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it more correct to say "walk to" or "walk in the direction of"?

"Walk to" implies reaching a destination, while ""walk in the direction of"" suggests a general movement towards something without necessarily reaching it. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "walk towards" and "walk in the direction of"?

"Walk towards" is generally more concise and direct. "Walk in the direction of" is more descriptive, emphasizing the orientation or general path of movement.