Can "head towards" be used in the past tense?

Yes, for example, "We headed towards the beach yesterday."

Is "towards" always necessary?

"Head" needs "towards" (or "toward") to show direction.

Can "head towards" be used figuratively?

Yes, it can describe progress toward goals or ideas.

What is the difference between "head towards" and "go towards"?

"Head towards" often implies purposeful movement, while "go towards" is more general.

Is "head towards" formal or informal?

It is neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Head towards sth Meaning, Examples & How to Use the Phrase

Jun 2, 2025

—

by

Michael Carter

in English Phrasal Verbs

What Does “Head towards sth” Mean?

“Head towards sth” means to move in the direction of something or to progress toward a particular goal or place.

Introduction

The phrase “head towards sth” is commonly used in English to describe moving physically or metaphorically in the direction of something. Whether you’re walking to a destination or working toward an objective, this expression helps convey progress or movement. Understanding the “head towards sth” meaning will improve your everyday communication, especially when giving directions or discussing plans. This phrase is versatile and appears frequently in both spoken and written English, making it a useful addition to your vocabulary.

Quick Info Box

Phrasal verb: head towards something
Type: Intransitive (usually)
Level: A2 – B1
Short meaning: To move or progress in the direction of something

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Head towards sth” is an inseparable phrasal verb. The verb “head” cannot be separated from “towards” and the object follows the preposition directly.

Subject + head(s) + towards + object
Example: She is heading towards the station.

Note that “towards” can also be spelled “toward” in American English without changing the meaning.

How to Use “Head towards sth”?

You use “head towards sth” when you want to describe moving physically or figuratively in the direction of a place, goal, or idea. It can describe walking, driving, or even progressing in a plan or project.

Examples include heading towards a city, heading towards success, or heading towards a deadline. It adds clarity and direction to your sentences.

Examples

Imagine you are describing your journey home after work. You might say:

I’m heading towards the park on my way home.
After the meeting, we headed towards the café for lunch.
The company is heading towards a major breakthrough in technology.
She’s heading towards a promotion at her job.
We are heading towards colder weather next week.

These examples show how “head towards sth” can be used in different contexts.

Common Mistakes

Sometimes learners confuse the phrase by separating the verb and preposition incorrectly or using the wrong preposition.

Incorrect: She is heading the station towards.
Correct: She is heading towards the station.
Incorrect: We head to the park towards.
Correct: We are heading towards the park.

Remember, “head towards” must stay together and the object must follow it directly.

Differences / Synonyms

“Head towards sth” is similar to “go towards,” “move towards,” or “make your way to.” However, “head towards” often implies a more deliberate or purposeful movement.

Go towards: More general movement in the direction of something.
Move towards: Can be physical or metaphorical progress.
Head towards: Usually purposeful, intentional movement or progress.

For example, “We are heading towards the exit” sounds more intentional than “We are going towards the exit.”

Common Collocations

Some common objects that go well with “head towards” include:

Head towards the city: Moving in the direction of an urban area.
Head towards success: Progressing toward achieving goals.
Head towards the future: Looking or moving into the time ahead.
Head towards the exit: Moving toward a way out.
Head towards a deadline: Approaching a due date.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of head towards sth:

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “head towards sth”:

Anna: What time do you want to leave?

Ben: Let’s head towards the museum around 2 pm.

Anna: Sounds good. I want to explore the art exhibit before it closes.

Ben: Perfect! We’ll head towards the entrance together.

Practice

Choose the correct sentence using “head towards”:

a) She is heading towards the library for her study session.
b) She is heading the library towards for her study session.
c) She is heading towards to the library for her study session.

Answer: a)

FAQs

Q: Can “head towards” be used in the past tense?
A: Yes, for example, “We headed towards the beach yesterday.”
Q: Is “towards” always necessary?
A: Yes, “head” needs “towards” (or “toward”) to show direction.
Q: Can “head towards” be used figuratively?
A: Yes, it can describe progress toward goals or ideas.
Q: What is the difference between “head towards” and “go towards”?
A: “Head towards” often implies purposeful movement, while “go towards” is more general.
Q: Is “head towards” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts.