walked towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"walked towards" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate the direction in which a person or thing is traveling. For example: The man walked towards the store, intent on getting what he needed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Being given a walking, talking doll that walked towards me, arms outstretched, intoning, "Mama.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Michael quietly walked towards the front.

The Guardian - Books

I parked and walked towards the bridge.

The Guardian - Arts

A mother and daughter walked towards them.

The Guardian

He walked towards the group and picked up a body..

The Guardian

We got out and walked towards the edge.

The Guardian - Opinion

Oluwale thanked them and walked towards the pub door.

The Guardian

On his instructions, she walked towards the man.

The Guardian

Both men walked towards the green in tears.

The Guardian - Sport

The man walked towards the hole in the gate.

The Guardian

He got out of his vehicle and walked towards the patrol car.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "walked towards" to clearly indicate the direction of movement, especially when the manner of walking (e.g., slowly, quickly) is relevant to the context.

Common error

Be consistent with your choice of 'toward' or 'towards'. While both are generally acceptable, 'towards' is more common in British English, and 'toward' in American English. Avoid mixing them within the same piece of writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "walked towards" functions as a verb phrase indicating movement in a specific direction. It describes the action of walking in the direction of a particular object, person, or place. Ludwig shows many examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "walked towards" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that accurately portrays the act of approaching someone or something on foot. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts. Its frequency across diverse sources, including news outlets, academic papers, and blogs, underscores its widespread acceptance. When writing, consider emphasizing the manner of walking to determine when "walked towards" is most appropriate. Also, be mindful of regional preferences when choosing between "toward" and "towards". Ultimately, "walked towards" is a reliable choice for clearly expressing direction and movement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approached

Simpler verb indicating movement closer to something, omitting the 'walking' aspect.

headed toward

Casual way of saying someone is moving in a particular direction.

advanced toward

More formal and deliberate, suggesting a determined movement.

stepped toward

Highlights the act of taking a step in a certain direction.

moved in the direction of

Less direct and more descriptive, focusing on the direction.

proceeded to

Indicates a continuation of movement in a specific direction.

made their way to

Emphasizes effort and navigation towards a destination.

came closer to

Focuses on the reduction of distance between two points.

neared

Concise and formal way to indicate approaching something.

gravitated to

Suggests a natural or compelled movement towards something.

FAQs

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

Use "walked towards" to describe someone moving in the direction of a specific person, place, or thing. For example, "She "walked towards" the door, ready to leave."

What are some alternatives to "walked towards"?

Alternatives include "approached", "headed toward", or "moved in the direction of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "walked toward" and "walked towards"?

The difference is primarily regional. "Walked toward" is more common in American English, while "walked towards" is more prevalent in British English. Both are grammatically correct.

When should I use "walked towards" instead of a simpler verb like "approached"?

Use "walked towards" when you want to emphasize the manner of movement (walking) and the direction in which someone is moving. "Approached" is more general and doesn't specify the mode of transportation.