work toward

USAGE SUMMARY

"work toward" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you are making progress or trying to make progress towards something. For example, "The team will continue to work toward improving customer satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Technologists should work toward this end.

The New York Times

Now American courts should work toward solutions.

The Economist

I will work toward that goal".

The New York Times

You should really work toward one climax".

The New Yorker

So they should work toward the afterlife".

The New York Times

You work toward an anticlimax.

The New York Times - Magazine

"They can learn to work toward goals".

The New York Times

"I continue to work toward that.

The New York Times - Sports

It may even encourage nations to work toward something broader.

The New York Times

"They won't work toward building the franchise," he said.

The New York Times

You have to work toward it with patience and persistence.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "work toward" to convey a sense of continuous effort and progress rather than immediate achievement.

Common error

Avoid using "work toward" when the goal has already been fully achieved. The phrase implies ongoing effort, so it's more suitable for objectives that are still in progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work toward" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating an ongoing effort or process directed towards a specific aim or objective. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "work toward" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the act of making progress towards a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news media, science, and general writing. Alternatives such as "strive for", "aim for", and "endeavor to" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. When using "work toward", it's important to define the specific goal and remember that the phrase implies continuous effort rather than immediate achievement. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "work toward" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make progress toward

Emphasizes the advancement being made.

strive for

Focuses more on the effort and ambition involved.

move toward

Focuses on the direction of movement.

aim for

Emphasizes setting a target or objective.

advance toward

Focuses more on the steps taken to get closer to a goal.

endeavor to

More formal, highlighting a serious attempt.

push for

Implies actively advocating for something.

pursue

Suggests actively following a course of action.

seek to

Highlights the act of searching for or trying to obtain something.

contribute to

Highlights the act of providing or giving in order to achieve a goal.

FAQs

How do I use "work toward" in a sentence?

Use "work toward" to indicate that effort is being directed towards a specific goal. For example, "The company is working toward reducing its carbon footprint."

What can I say instead of "work toward"?

You can use alternatives like "strive for", "aim for", or "endeavor to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "work towards" instead of "work toward"?

While "work towards" is also acceptable, "work toward" is generally considered more concise and preferred in American English. Both are understood and used.

How does "work toward" differ from "achieve"?

"Work toward" implies a process of making progress towards a goal, while "achieve" indicates that the goal has been successfully reached. Use "work toward" when the goal is still in progress.