a more circuitous route

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a more circuitous route" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a path or method that is longer or more complicated than necessary, often implying a lack of directness. Example: "Instead of taking the highway, we decided to take a more circuitous route through the countryside to enjoy the scenery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

"Phaedra Backwards" takes a more circuitous route to the beginning and back to the end.

The New York Times

Mr. Fuller, 44, traveled a more circuitous route to money management.

The New York Times

Jessica and Gary Sachs took a more circuitous route -- from Brooklyn to Georgia to Maplewood -- for similar reasons.

The New York Times

Although in retrospect he could have stayed with Aristotle Pizza and become Herman Cain, Phillips ended up taking a more circuitous route into politics.

Princeton University

Aid convoys now have to follow a more circuitous route along a much poorer road with wrecked bridges and craters from heavy bombing.

The Guardian

The only difference is that private companies now have to travel a more circuitous route in order to profit from contracts for children's services.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Indeed there is no evidence that any of Slovakia's walls have helped prevent crime in their respective locales.Forced to walk a more circuitous path en route to the grocery store, Plavecký Štvrtok's Roma children now linger near a more heavily trafficked road.

The Economist

The movie itself takes a slightly more circuitous route to its bloody retribution.

The New York Times

Betzig and Moerner, each working separately, arrived by a far more circuitous route at the other prize-winning technology, which is called "single-molecule microscopy".

The New Yorker

Until the Portus discovery, it was believed that imported goods which included everything from glass, marble, wine, and wheat to slaves and wild animals captured in Africa and used in spectacles held at the Colosseum took a far more circuitous route overland along what is known as the Via Flavia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

History is full of people who arrived at their final destination by a far more circuitous route.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing travel or navigation, use "a more circuitous route" to vividly convey that the path taken deviates significantly from a straight line or the most obvious course.

Common error

Avoid using "a more circuitous route" when you simply mean "a different route". The phrase implies a deliberate, often unnecessary, deviation from the most direct path.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a more circuitous route" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, typically used to describe a path, method, or approach that is indirect and lengthy. Ludwig AI validates its grammatically correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a more circuitous route" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a path or method that is indirect and lengthy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and scientific writing. While offering a precise way to describe deviations from a direct path, it's important to remember that using alternatives like "a roundabout way" or "a longer path" can sometimes better suit the intended nuance. Avoiding the phrase when a simpler "different route" will do will ensure effective communication. Overall, understanding the implication of unnecessary deviation enriches one's writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a roundabout way

Replaces "circuitous" with "roundabout", emphasizing the indirect nature of the path.

a less direct route

Directly contrasts with a direct route, implying an indirect one.

a longer path

Focuses on the increased length of the route.

an indirect approach

Highlights the lack of directness in the method.

a winding road

Uses a more descriptive term for a route that is not straight.

a meandering course

Emphasizes the lack of a fixed direction.

a devious path

Implies the route is not straightforward and possibly deceptive.

a tortuous route

Suggests the route is complex and difficult to follow.

a labyrinthine path

Indicates the route is like a maze, confusing and complex.

an alternative route

Suggests there is a different route available, which might be indirect.

FAQs

How can I use "a more circuitous route" in a sentence?

You can use "a more circuitous route" to describe a path or method that is longer or more complicated than necessary. For instance, "Due to the road closure, we had to take "a more circuitous route" to the destination."

What's the difference between "a more circuitous route" and "a detour"?

While both imply an alternative path, "a detour" usually suggests a temporary change due to an obstruction. "A more circuitous route", on the other hand, indicates a longer or more complicated path, whether intentional or due to necessity.

What can I say instead of "a more circuitous route"?

You can use alternatives like "a roundabout way", "a longer path", or "an indirect approach" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a more circuitous route" in formal writing?

Yes, "a more circuitous route" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you want to precisely describe an indirect or lengthy path. Its usage is well-documented in news articles, academic papers, and business reports.