What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
steered
Example
He steered the car towards the left lane. [steered: past tense]
Example
The CEO steered the company towards a more sustainable business model. [steered: verb]
directed
Example
She directed the actors on stage to move to the left. [directed: past tense]
Example
The manager directed the team to focus on customer satisfaction. [directed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Directed is more commonly used than steered in everyday language. Directed is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while steered is less common and refers more specifically to the act of guiding a vehicle or vessel.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between steered and directed?
Both steered and directed can be used in formal and informal contexts, but directed is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations.
