I'm heading toward/for New York.

[undisPOOted]

Hello.

As I understand it:

- I'm heading toward New York. (tells us that New York is my destination.)
- I'm heading for New York. (suggests I don't necessarily plan on arriving exactly in New York, I may turn off at some point.)

Can I say that while "toward" is usually more focused on concrete endpoints or locations, "for" might feel like a more loose and general alternative with respect to destinations?

Thank you.

 

[jutfrank]

a) I'm heading for New York.

This probably means that New York is my final destination. It doesn't really matter how I get there.

b) I'm heading toward New York.

This means that the direction I'm travelling in leads to New York, which is quite probably not my final destination.

 

[undisPOOted]

a) I'm heading for New York.

This probably means that New York is my final destination. It doesn't really matter how I get there.

b) I'm heading toward New York.

This means that the direction I'm travelling in leads to New York, which is quite probably not my final destination.

Do these work the same way with respect to figurative/abstract destinations?

“The end is inevitable, Maverick. Your kind is headed for extinction.” Top Gun Maverick, 2022

 

[jutfrank]

Do these work the same way with respect to figurative/abstract destinations?

Yes.