Meaning & use
directing
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“directing” is a form of “direct”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Managing and giving orders about how an activity or group should proceed.
Grammar: -ing form of direct; takes an object: directing the project.
Patterns
- directing something
- directing someone to do something
She is directing the company's expansion into Asia.
He spent years directing a youth orchestra.
The foreman was directing workers around the site.
verbtransitive
Controlling the making of a film, play or show and guiding the actors.
Grammar: -ing form of direct; takes an object: directing a film.
Patterns
- directing a film
- directing actors
She is directing her first feature film.
He earned praise for directing the school play.
They are directing a documentary about wildlife.
verbtransitive
Pointing, aiming or turning something toward a particular person, place or goal.
Grammar: -ing form of direct; usually with at or to: directing attention to something.
Patterns
- directing something at someone
- directing someone to something
The officer was directing traffic at the busy junction.
She kept directing questions at the manager.
A guard stood at the door, directing visitors to the main hall.
noununcountable
The work of managing or guiding a film, play or other production.
Grammar: Uncountable noun: directing is hard work.
Patterns
- the directing of something
Directing requires patience and a clear vision.
The review praised the film's directing but not its script.
She studied directing at drama school.
Word forms
| base form | direct |
|---|---|
| third person singular | directs |
| past tense | directed |
Common combinations
- directing traffic
- A police officer was directing traffic after the power cut.
- directing a film
- Directing a film takes months of preparation.
- directing attention
- She is directing attention to the problem.
- directing efforts
- The charity is directing its efforts toward education.
- directing a play
- He enjoys directing a play every spring.
Synonyms and how they differ
- managing
- Managing focuses on running daily affairs, while directing suggests giving overall guidance.
- guiding
- Guiding is gentler and implies helping someone find the way rather than commanding.
- leading
- Leading means going first or being in charge, and does not suggest giving detailed instructions.
- steering
- Steering suggests gradually influencing the course of something, as with a car or a conversation.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: directing or directive?
directing vs directive
A directive is an official order, while directing is the action of guiding or managing.
Practice
A police officer stood at the junction, ___ traffic around the broken-down truck.
Choose one answer.
Directing traffic means guiding cars where to go. Dictating means giving orders in a domineering way or speaking text aloud, which does not fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “directing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.