usmjeravam

Usmjeravam is a verb form in several South Slavic languages, most commonly Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian. It represents the first-person singular present tense of the imperfective verb usmjeravati (to direct, to aim, to steer). The meaning encompasses guiding toward a goal, orienting actions, or channeling resources, attention, or efforts in a particular direction. As an imperfective form, usmjeravam often emphasizes ongoing or repeated directing rather than a single completed act.

Etymology and form: the word derives from the noun smjer, meaning direction or bearing, with the prefix us- that conveys direction toward or adjustment. The result is a family of verbs such as usmjeravati (imperfective) and its perfective counterpart usmjeriti, used to indicate more punctual, completed directing in certain contexts. The present tense forms reflect aspectual differences: usmjeravam signals an ongoing process of directing, while the corresponding perfective forms (e.g., usmjerim, usmjeri) convey a completed action.

Usage: usmjeravam is commonly used in political, organizational, and technical discourse to describe aligning or steering actions, plans, or resources toward specific objectives. It can apply to directing a project, focusing attention, or channeling efforts. In formal writing, it appears alongside related terms like usmjeravanje (the act of directing or directing process) and usmjeriti (to direct toward).

Examples: Usmjeravam projekt prema ciljevima. We direct the project toward the goals. Usmjeravam pažnju na problem. I direct attention to the problem. Usmjeravanje sredstava usmjerava budžet prema prioritetima.

See also: smjer, smjeriti, usmjeravanje, usmjeriti.

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