a rough paths

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rough paths" is not correct in English.
It should be "rough paths" or "a rough path." You can use the correct forms when describing a difficult or challenging route or journey, either literally or metaphorically. Example: "The hikers struggled to navigate the rough paths through the dense forest."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In this article, we carry out a rough paths analysis for Banach space-valued Wiener processes.

Journal of Functional Analysis

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A rough path took us through an ancient forest which thinned occasionally but never quite ended.

Independent

As for spouses who cheated, Ms. O'Shea prepares them for a rough path back.

The New York Times

You should see a rough path leading off in the same direction.

The Guardian - Travel

We continued our gentle stroll for an hour or so then descended via a rough path to a stone shelter.

Independent

A blind man with a cane, sporting a fedora, worked his way up a rough path of volcanic earth.

The New Yorker

When he plays amazing, I know how he feels, and also, when he's going through a rough path, how that feels and how to handle the situation".

The New York Times - Sports

A wood separates the road from the loch, but here and there a rough path leads down to a rocky beach glistening with damp seaweed.

The Guardian

The one road up to the 1,250m summit is a rough path with 72 hairpin bends, which only the official government jeep is allowed to tackle.

The Guardian - Travel

Mr. Apted says he regrets the shortsightedness of the gender imbalance; many of his feature films tell the stories of singular women forging a rough path, and he cites these later career choices as something of a corrective.

The New York Times

A rough path leads for a mile through field and bracken to a secluded corner of the west coast, where the sea has almost turned the headland of Eilean Garbh into a separate island.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to multiple paths that are not smooth or easy to traverse, use "rough paths". If you are referring to a single path, use "a rough path".

Common error

Avoid using "a rough paths" as it combines a singular article with a plural noun. Ensure the article agrees with the noun's number; use "rough paths" or "a rough path" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rough paths" functions as a noun phrase intended to describe routes or courses that are uneven or challenging. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect due to the mismatch between the singular article "a" and the plural noun "paths".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the intent behind "a rough paths" is understandable, it is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies the error stemming from the conflict between the singular article and the plural noun. The intended meaning—describing uneven or challenging routes—is better conveyed through phrases like "rough paths" or "a rough path", depending on whether you're referring to multiple or a single path. Remember to adjust your phrasing to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing, and consider context-appropriate synonyms such as "difficult paths" or "challenging routes".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rough path

Singular form instead of plural; adjusts the grammatical number of the noun.

difficult paths

Replaces "rough" with a synonym focusing on the challenging nature of the paths.

challenging routes

Substitutes both "rough" and "paths" with alternatives highlighting difficulty and direction.

uneven trails

Emphasizes the irregularity and lack of smoothness of the trails.

arduous routes

Uses a more formal synonym for "rough" to indicate a strenuous journey.

rugged trails

Emphasizes the uneven and wild nature of the trails.

demanding paths

Highlights the effort required to navigate the paths.

tough trails

Uses a more informal synonym for "difficult" or "rough".

precarious paths

Focuses on the instability or danger associated with the paths.

irregular routes

Highlights the lack of uniformity and the unpredictable nature of the routes.

FAQs

What is the correct way to refer to multiple paths that are not smooth?

The correct phrase is "rough paths". The phrase "a rough paths" is grammatically incorrect.

Is "rough path" grammatically correct?

Yes, "rough path" is grammatically correct when referring to a single path that is not smooth or easy to traverse.

What are some alternatives to "rough paths"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult paths", "challenging routes", or "uneven trails" depending on the context.

When should I use "a rough path" versus "rough paths"?

"A rough path" is used when describing one specific path. "Rough paths" is used when describing multiple paths. For example: "We descended via "a rough path" to a stone shelter" versus "The hikers struggled to navigate the rough paths through the dense forest."