steer

/stɪə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /stɪr/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstir/ (ame, mw) · /stɪər/ (bre, ipa)

steer — verb

  • steerpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • steershe / she / it
  • steeredpast simple
  • steering-ing form

1. to make a vehicle, boat, or bicycle go in a particular direction by turning a wh

1.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

to make a vehicle, boat, or bicycle go in a particular direction by turning a wheel or moving handles

例句

Nora steered the car carefully along the narrow mountain road.

transitive: steer + vehicle + adverb of manner

Christopher learned to steer a small motorboat on the lake near his home.

同義詞
  • drive

    drive is more general — you can drive without steering; steer focuses on the turning action

  • pilot

    pilot is used for aircraft or ships, more technical than steer

  • helm

    helm is a verb specifically for ships or boats, less common in everyday speech

文法句型

steer + noun (vehicle)

steer + adverb (direction)

intransitive: vehicle + steers + adverb

用法筆記

When transitive, the object is the vehicle. When intransitive, the vehicle is the subject and the adverb describes how well it responds. The phrasal verb 'steer clear of' belongs to a different sense.

常見錯誤

❌I steered the car to left.
✅I steered the car to the left.
💡the prepositional phrase needs the definite article.

2. if a vehicle or boat follows a route or course as the driver intends by turning

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

if a vehicle or boat follows a route or course as the driver intends by turning the wheel

例句

The boat steered toward the harbour when Ignacio pulled the rope.

steer toward [destination]

The car steered to the left all by itself on the wet road.

steer to + direction

同義詞
  • head

    head is more general, used for any moving thing or person; steer implies a controlled direction

  • turn

    turn simply means change direction; steer implies sustained direction control

文法句型

vehicle + steer + adverb (direction)

vehicle + steer + to/toward/away from + noun

用法筆記

Frequently used with a direction word (north, left, toward) or a course. Unlike sense 1, the vehicle itself is the subject and the focus is on the movement path rather than the driver's control action.

3. to deliberately guide someone or something toward a particular direction, situat

3.動詞及物B1
釋義

to deliberately guide someone or something toward a particular direction, situation, or result, or to keep them away from something unwanted

例句

Hui steered the conversation away from the topic of money at dinner.

steer + conversation + away from [topic]

Dewi's parents steered her toward a career in science and medicine.

steer + person + toward [goal/career]

同義詞
  • guide

    guide is warmer and more supportive; steer can imply subtle or firm direction

  • direct

    direct is more authoritative; steer can be gentler or indirect

  • lead

    lead implies going in front; you can steer from the side or behind

  • manoeuvre

    manoeuvre suggests skilful handling of a tricky situation, more formal

文法句型

steer + person/thing + adverb (direction)

steer + person/thing + toward/away from/into + noun

用法筆記

This sense works with both people and abstract things (conversation, project, career). The object often appears with a directional preposition (toward, away from, through, into).

常見錯誤

❌She steered him to apply for the job.
✅She steered him toward applying for the job.
💡steer + person takes a prepositional complement, not a to-infinitive.

steer — noun