4

I've heard people using both expressions. Which one is correct, or are they basically the same?

Improve this question

6 Answers 6

Reset to default
6

Both are certainly correct and both basically mean the same thing, but if you want to be precise and analyze them, heading in the right direction may be more specific to the current situation, like saying:

Captain, we're (currently) heading in the right direction and should be arriving the destination shortly.

On the other hand, headed in the right direction may have more general meaning expressing a longer time scale, like for example:

This may be a young nation, but it's definitely headed in the right direction. During the last few years, it has advanced in many areas like no other country.

Improve this answer
1
  • I think you nailed it with the time scale, but there's also an issue of determination or decision. They could be heading in the right direction by accident, but "headed" implies more of a deliberate decision.
    – Max Williams
    Jul 27, 2017 at 13:21
3

Usage of both phrases is head___ in the right direction:

http://ngrams.googlelabs.com/graph?content=headed+in+the+right+direction%2C+heading+in+the+right+direction&year_start=1800&year_end=2000&corpus=0&smoothing=3

Improve this answer
2

Being headed means that the direction of the vessel points into this direction. Heading means being in the process of moving somewhere.

Being headed + movement = heading somewhere

Improve this answer
0

I think "headed" came to this use because navigational heading is something you must get right in the past in order to be correctly on-course now.

If I was 'headed' the wrong way 2 min ago, and I've been headed the wrong way for the past hour, then even if I change course now, it will take some time before all can confidently say that we are "headed" the right direction.

I seriously doubt most people think this deep about the wording, but I do think it is the cognitive underpinnings of the words work this way.

Reference: George Lakoff

Improve this answer
-1

They are both correct, but they are used in different instances.
"Headed in the right direction" is for past tense usage, it indicates something that happened in time past i.e. John headed in the right direction, or John did this some time ago.

"Heading in the right direction" is a progressive tense usage, and is used to indicate something happening right now. i.e. John is heading in the right direction or John is doing it as I am talking.

They are used to mean different things, as in indicating the time it occurred, so some distinction should be noted here. They are both correct, as long as they are used in the correct situation.

Improve this answer
1
  • But we can also say "John is headed in the right direction" to indicate that something is happening in present.
    – rest_day
    Jun 20, 2011 at 5:55
-1

"Headed" is just wrong. Incorrect usage over the years has been cemented as acceptable usage.

Improve this answer
2
  • Very true. It is also very true of every single word in your answer. Please rewrite it using proper English.
    – RegDwigнt
    Sep 19, 2013 at 9:19
  • No - it is possible & correct to say "I was headed in the right direction". I was then, but now am heading the right way
    – New Alexandria
    Sep 19, 2013 at 12:28

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.