a digression from the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a digression from the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a deviation from the main topic or subject in a conversation or text. Example: "While the lecture was informative, there was a digression from the main topic that left some students confused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The hard fact of it was that ornithopters, machines with flapping wings, were a digression from the path that led to the airplane".

The New York Times - Books

But the most haunting moment came with a digression from the musical depiction of emotions, or affects, to the depiction of objects and events.

The New York Times - Arts

The dictionary-definition samplers are actually, in this way, a digression from the other major project that Parker has been working on – in response to a request from the British Library to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta on 15 June this year.

The Guardian - Arts

As a point of interest, although a digression from the focus of this review, gene sharing is not restricted to lens crystallins and occurs extensively throughout the animal kingdom (Piatigorsky 2007).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

For, even if a joke beats the odds and gets a laugh, the laughter is a digression from the main message of the speech or presentation.

Huffington Post

At home, however, the story a Yoruba folktale of a boy who escapes war into a forbidden world of ghosts and spirits was largely shat on by the intellectual elite who felt the language, written in the fantastical and naive perspective of a child, was a digression from the "proper English" impressed upon them from their colonialist past.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

While coloration efficiency increases as a function of applied potential in the sole PEDOT device with largest values of CE(max,VIS) ∼ 120 cm2 C−1 and CE(max,NIR) ∼ 133 cm2 C−1 attained at Vc = −1.9 V, the PEDOT PB device shows a digression from this trend.

Electrochimica Acta

"My whole life since," the narrator says, "has merely been a digression from those days, which now hang over me like a quarrel that will never be resolved".

The New Yorker

"My whole life since,'' the narrator says, "has merely been a digression from those days, which now hang over me like a quarrel that will never be resolved".

The New Yorker

The way Campbell tells it, however, the past 30 years were but a digression from his first and real love: ventriloquism.

The Guardian

After the 996, which some viewed as a digression from Porsche's heritage, it is hard not to see the 997 as a return to the company's core values.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a digression from the" when you want to signal to your audience that you are temporarily departing from the main subject matter to explore a related, but not essential, point.

Common error

Avoid using "a digression from the" if the shift in topic is abrupt and lacks a clear connection to the main subject. In such cases, a "tangent" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a digression from the" functions as a noun phrase that indicates a temporary departure or deviation from a main topic, theme, or course of action. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's often used to introduce related, but not essential, points.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

19%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Arts

14%

Books

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a digression from the" is a noun phrase used to indicate a temporary departure from a main topic or course. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While the phrase can appear in various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing, it is most frequently found in news articles. When using "a digression from the", ensure that the shift in topic serves a purpose and is clearly signaled to the audience. Alternatives such as "a deviation from" or "a departure from" may be suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a deviation from

Focuses on the act of straying or differing from something.

a departure from

Emphasizes the act of leaving or moving away from something.

a detour from

Suggests a temporary change of course or direction.

a divergence from

Highlights the act of splitting off and going in a different direction.

an aside from

Implies a brief departure from the main topic to discuss something related.

a tangent to

Indicates a sudden and often unrelated shift in topic.

straying from

Focuses on the act of wandering away or deviating from a path.

wandering from

Implies a more aimless or unintentional deviation.

a digression into

Specifically denotes the action of moving away from the main topic to explore a new, related one.

a sidetrack from

Suggests being drawn away from the main focus, often temporarily.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a digression from the" in writing?

Introduce "a digression from the" with a clear signal phrase, such as "as an aside" or "before I continue", to prepare your reader for the temporary shift in topic. This helps maintain clarity and prevents confusion.

What's the difference between "a digression from the" and "a deviation from"?

While both phrases indicate a departure, "a digression from the" often implies a temporary and intentional departure to explore a related point, whereas "a deviation from" suggests a more significant or unintended change in course.

Is it acceptable to use "a digression from the" in formal writing?

Yes, "a digression from the" is appropriate for formal writing as long as the digression serves a purpose, such as providing context or exploring a relevant subtopic. Avoid excessive or irrelevant digressions that detract from the main argument.

What are some alternatives to "a digression from the"?

Consider using phrases like "a departure from", "an aside from", or "a detour from" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.