usmjerava

Usmjerava is a verb form used in Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian. It is the third-person singular present tense of the imperfective verb usmjeravati, which means to direct, guide, steer, or channel toward a goal, target, or direction. The form reflects ongoing or repeated action and is commonly used in everyday speech as well as in administrative or political language. The corresponding perfective form is usmjeriti (present tense: usmjeri for third person singular).

Etymology and meaning

The word combines the prefix u- with the noun smjer (direction), yielding a sense of directing something into a particular direction or toward a specific目的. As a result, usmjerava can describe directing resources, attention, projects, or processes, not only physical aiming but also strategic guidance or policy orientation.

Usage and common constructions

Usmjerava often takes a direct object in the accusative and can be paired with prepositional phrases to indicate the target or goal, such as prema nečemu (toward something) or na nešto (onto something). Typical contexts include government planning, project management, and media reporting, for example: "Vlada usmjerava sredstva prema obrazovanju" (The government directs funding toward education); "On usmjerava pažnju na sigurnost" (He directs attention to safety).

Related terms and contrasts

Related verbs include usmjeravati (imperfective) and usmjeriti (perfective). Other related expressions include usmjeriti pažnju na, which means to direct attention to something. The form is gender- and number-sensitive, agreeing with the subject: on usmjerava, ona usmjerava, oni usmjeravaju.

Notes

Usmjerava is primarily utilized in standard literary and formal language and appears in journalism, policy texts, and official communications.