worked towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worked towards" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to describe progress made on a task or goal. For example, "She worked towards completing the project, and finally achieved success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Socrates worked towards making people question themselves.

The Guardian - Film

I immediately approached F.I.T. and worked towards getting in.

The New York Times

And I worked towards where I got to today.

The Guardian - Music

That is the target he has worked towards all year.

The Guardian - Sport

The activists worked towards the divestment for about two years.

The Guardian

He also worked towards the abolishment of slavery in the Hejaz region – now Saudi Arabia.

Independent

I know that it could cost them their livelihoods, their careers, everything they've worked towards.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We discussed what we needed to change, we all worked towards that.

The Guardian - Sport

This is the outcome we have worked towards and one which Scotland and Grangemouth deserve.

The Guardian - Business

Sometimes what we worked towards was even more explicitly focused on the opposition.

The Guardian - Sport

And make sure every department worked towards a low-carbon future.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worked towards" when you want to emphasize the process and effort involved in achieving a goal, rather than just the attainment of the goal itself.

Common error

Ensure that when you use "worked towards", the goal or objective is clearly stated or easily inferred from the context. Avoid vague statements like "They worked towards it" without clarifying what 'it' refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worked towards" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to indicate the action of making progress or directing effort toward a specific goal or objective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a process of striving for something. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, emphasizing purposeful action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "worked towards" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the dedicated effort and progress made toward achieving a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It's grammatically sound and appears frequently across various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications and general writing. To ensure clarity, always specify the goal or objective. Remember, "worked towards" is most effective when emphasizing the process and intention behind the effort. While alternatives like "strived for" or "endeavored to" exist, "worked towards" maintains a balance of formality and widespread applicability, making it a reliable choice in many writing situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strove for

Implies a more forceful and determined effort than "worked towards".

endeavored to

A more formal and often literary way of saying "worked towards", suggesting a serious attempt.

aimed for

Focuses on the goal itself, rather than the effort expended.

pursued

Emphasizes the act of following a course of action toward a goal, can be longer than "worked towards".

sought to

Highlights the act of seeking or trying to obtain something, but using a more formal tone.

dedicated oneself to

Indicates a strong commitment and devotion to achieving something, which is a more profound level of engagement than "worked towards".

committed to

Highlights a pledge to the task, but it is shorter and more to the point than "worked towards".

labored for

Suggests hard work and toil with a connotation of difficulty, adding an element of struggle not always present in "worked towards".

slogged toward

Emphasizes the arduous and difficult nature of the work.

pressed on toward

Highlights perseverance and continued effort, even in the face of challenges.

FAQs

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

Use "worked towards" to describe the effort and progress made in achieving a specific goal. For example, "She "worked towards" completing her degree by attending classes and studying diligently".

What are some alternatives to using "worked towards"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "strived for", "aimed for", or "endeavored to" to express a similar meaning.

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

While "worked to" can sometimes be used interchangeably with "worked towards", "worked towards" specifically emphasizes the direction and intention of the effort. "Worked to" is generally used for completing a task, rather than aiming towards a goal. Therefore, it can be used in a more broad sense.

What is the difference between "working towards" and "worked towards"?

"Working towards" indicates an ongoing process, while "worked towards" implies that the effort has been completed or is viewed in retrospect. For example, "She is "working towards" her degree" means she is currently in the process, whereas "She "worked towards" her degree" suggests she has completed or made significant progress in the past.