The phrase "move toward" can be spelled phonetically as /muːv təˈwɔːrd/. The first syllable is pronounced with a long "oo" sound, and the second syllable has a schwa sound. The word "toward" is spelled with an "o" in the second syllable rather than the more common "a." The spelling reflects the word's origin in Middle English, where it was spelled "towardes." Today, either "toward" or "towards" can be used interchangeably in English, but the spelling "toward" is more commonly used in American English.
Move toward is a phrasal verb used to describe the action of making progress or advancing physically, mentally, or figuratively in the direction of a particular goal, objective, or destination. It implies a purposeful or deliberate act of approaching something or someone, whether it be an actual physical movement or a change in attitude or behavior.
In a physical context, move toward indicates an act of physically moving closer to a location or individual. For instance, if someone says, "Please move toward the exit," it means they want you to go in the direction of the exit. In figurative or abstract contexts, move toward refers to making progress or taking steps that bring you closer to achieving a certain outcome or result. For example, if someone says, "We need to move toward a more sustainable approach," it means they want to adopt practices or behaviors that align with sustainability.
Move toward can also relate to a change in attitude or perspective. It suggests an effort to embrace or adopt new ideas, principles, or beliefs. For instance, someone might say, "He is moving toward a more open-minded approach," indicating that they are evolving intellectually or becoming more receptive to different viewpoints.
Overall, move toward signifies a deliberate action or intent to progress physically, mentally, or figuratively in the direction of a specific target, destination, or change.
The word "move" comes from the Middle English word "moven", which originated from the Old English word "mōvan". This Old English term ultimately traces back to the Proto-Germanic word "mōtijaną" meaning "to move" or "to shake". As for the word "toward", it comes from the Old English term "tōweard", which is a combination of "tō" (meaning "to") and "weard" (meaning "toward" or "in the direction of").