a departure from

USAGE SUMMARY

"a departure from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a deviation from an accepted standard or custom, such as in the sentence "The new policy was a departure from the traditional approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a departure from precedent.

The New Yorker

A departure from it is undemocratic.

The Economist

That view is a departure from I.M.F.

The New York Times

That is a departure from last season.

The New York Times - Sports

This is a departure from the past.

The New York Times

A departure from international polity.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a departure from U.S. policy.

The Washington Post

"That was a departure from other relationships".

The New York Times - Style

Dante does it differently: it's a departure from Boethius.

Yale University

But Tuesday was a departure from that rhythm.

The New York Times

But it implies a departure from the status quo today.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a departure from" to signal a significant change or deviation, rather than a minor adjustment. This emphasizes the importance of the change.

Common error

Avoid using "a departure from" to describe minor changes or adjustments. This phrase is best reserved for significant shifts or deviations from established norms or practices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a departure from" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It signifies a deviation or divergence from an established norm, practice, or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a departure from" is a versatile phrase used to describe a deviation or change from a previous state or norm. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in what is being departed from and consider synonyms to add variety to your writing. While the phrase is generally neutral, its impact depends on the context, suggesting a significant change rather than a minor adjustment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a deviation from

Focuses on the act of straying from a standard or expected path.

a divergence from

Highlights a separation or branching off from a common point or direction.

a shift away from

Emphasizes the movement or change in direction from something.

a move away from

Similar to 'shift away from', but can also imply a physical relocation or change in strategy.

a break with

Implies a more abrupt or decisive ending of a relationship or tradition.

a turning away from

Suggests a conscious decision to reject or abandon something.

an abandonment of

Indicates a complete forsaking or relinquishing of something.

a renunciation of

Highlights a formal rejection or disavowal of something, often a belief or claim.

a variance from

Emphasizes a slight difference or inconsistency from an established norm or expectation.

a secession from

Suggests a formal withdrawal or separation from an organization or group.

FAQs

How can I use "a departure from" in a sentence?

Use "a departure from" to indicate a deviation from a standard or typical practice. For example: "The new policy is "a departure from" previous regulations."

What are some alternatives to "a departure from"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a deviation from", "a divergence from", or "a shift away from".

Is it always negative to describe something as "a departure from"?

Not necessarily. While it indicates a change, whether that change is positive or negative depends on the context. It can be used to describe improvements or regressions.

What's the difference between "a departure from" and "a break with"?

"A departure from" suggests a more gradual or nuanced change, while "a break with" implies a more decisive and potentially contentious separation.