what it moves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what it moves" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the effects or impacts of something, particularly in contexts related to motion or change. Example: "In this experiment, we need to analyze what it moves in terms of both physical objects and emotional responses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What it moves to is a fable-like story of quest and growth, with bits of cabalistic numeration and hints of the Arthurian cycle and perhaps of other Celtic legends I can't place.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And when you consider that Honda is on target to sell about 12,000 S2000s this year (about what it moved in 2001), there are clearly a lot of takers in this category.

Forbes

The shape of sand deposited by glaciers and ice sheets depends partly on how far the sand was moved and what it was moved over.

The New Yorker

Illustration by Randall Munroe People have known for a long time that you can't say how fast something is moving until you've said what it's moving past.

The New Yorker

People have known for a long time that you can't say how fast something is moving until you've said what it's moving past.

The New Yorker

Write down everything about it: how clever it is, what it does, how it does it, what it eats, how fast it moves, what illnesses affect it.

WikiHow

What makes it moving is that O'Brien does not over-promote Josie.

The Guardian - Books

But what makes it moving rather than bombastic is the sense that this is a hard-won musical and personal victory for its composer.

The Guardian - Music

Robert Softley Gale's Purposeless Movements, featuring five performers with cerebral palsy, investigates what it is to move and be moved.

The Guardian

It is what it is, so move on and cover the real story, the sport.

The New York Times

Ms. Asensio said she knew what it meant to move from Paris to Detroit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what it moves", ensure the context clearly defines "it" to avoid ambiguity. This is especially important in technical or scientific writing where precision is key.

Common error

Avoid using "what it moves" when the antecedent of "it" is unclear or ambiguous. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Be sure to clearly define what "it" refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what it moves" typically functions as a noun phrase or a clause functioning as a noun, often serving as the object or complement of a verb or preposition. It refers to the result or effect of an action performed by "it", as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what it moves" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usefulness for discussing the effects or impacts of something. While "uncommon" in frequency, its versatility allows for application across diverse contexts, as evidenced by its presence in news, wiki and scientific sources. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to guarantee clarity by explicitly defining the antecedent of "it". Alternatives such as "what it displaces", "what it shifts" or "what it affects" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis, allowing for more precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what it displaces

Focuses on the physical action of something being moved out of its original position.

what it shifts

Emphasizes a change in position or direction, often implying a less forceful movement.

what it propels

Highlights the driving force or energy behind the movement.

what it actuates

Implies a mechanism or process that initiates the movement.

what it impels

Suggests a force that drives something forward, often with a sense of urgency.

what it motivates

Focuses on the underlying reason or cause for movement or change.

what it influences

Broadens the scope to include indirect effects and changes.

what it affects

Highlights the consequences or impact of the movement.

what it generates

Emphasizes the creation or production of movement or change.

what it triggers

Focuses on the initiating event or cause of the movement.

FAQs

How can I use "what it moves" in a sentence?

You can use "what it moves" to describe the effect or result of an action. For example, "Consider "what it displaces" when analyzing the environmental impact of a construction project."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "what it moves"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "what it shifts", "what it affects", or "what it propels".

Is "what it moves" formal or informal?

"What it moves" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic writing.

What does "what it moves" typically refer to?

The phrase refers to the consequences or effects of a specific action or force. It often implies a change in position, state, or condition. For example, instead of saying "The engine powers the wheels", you might ask, "what it actuates?"