a similar paths

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a similar paths" is not correct in English.
It should be "similar paths" or "a similar path." You can use the corrected phrase when discussing two or more routes or approaches that share common characteristics. Example: "The two projects took similar paths in their development phases, leading to comparable outcomes."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The creator / director Kristin Waterson and I met because we were on a similar paths.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

At least one other company, Deltek, took a similar path over a decade ago.

TechCrunch

Bahrain hopes to follow a similar path.

The Economist

Mr. Romney could follow a similar path.

The New York Times

They appear headed down a similar path.

The New York Times - Sports

Banks have trod a similar path before.

The New York Times - Tech

The second trial followed a similar path.

The New York Times

The second set took a similar path.

The Guardian - Sport

Singapore's sovereign-wealth fund has taken a similar path.

The New York Times - Magazine

The women have often followed a similar path.

The New York Times

Competition for residential customers followed a similar path.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If referring to a single route, ensure grammatical agreement by using the singular form "a similar path". For example: "The company took a similar path to success."

Common error

Avoid using the indefinite article "a" with plural nouns like "paths". "A" indicates a singular noun, so ensure the noun is singular when using this article. For instance, use "a similar path" instead of "a similar paths".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a similar paths" functions as an adjectival phrase attempting to describe multiple routes or courses of action. However, it is grammatically incorrect because the singular article "a" does not agree with the plural noun "paths". According to Ludwig, this construction is not correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a similar paths" is grammatically incorrect due to the mismatch between the singular article "a" and the plural noun "paths". Ludwig AI flags this as an error. To correct this, one should use either "a similar path" when referring to a single instance or "similar paths" when referring to multiple instances. While the intention is clear—to convey resemblance across different routes or methods—grammatical accuracy is essential for effective communication. The phrase's rare occurrence and grammatical status suggest it should be avoided in formal writing. News & Media is the most frequent context where the expression was used. Correcting such errors enhances clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similar paths

Removes the article "a", correcting the grammar to a plural noun phrase.

a similar path

Corrects the noun to singular form to agree with the article "a".

an analogous route

Uses a synonym for "similar" and "path", while maintaining a singular form.

comparable paths

Uses a synonym for "similar" and keeps the plural form.

a parallel route

Replaces "similar" with "parallel", suggesting routes that run alongside each other.

analogous journeys

Uses synonyms for both "similar" and "paths", with a focus on travel or progress.

a comparable approach

Shifts the focus from a literal path to a method or strategy.

equivalent paths

Emphasizes that the paths are equal in some respect.

a like trajectory

Uses "trajectory" to refer to a course of development, keeping a singular form.

corresponding routes

Uses "corresponding" to indicate a direct relationship or match between the routes.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "a similar paths"?

The grammatically correct alternatives are "a similar path" (singular) or "similar paths" (plural).

How do I decide whether to use "a similar path" or "similar paths"?

Use "a similar path" when referring to one specific route or course of action. Use "similar paths" when discussing multiple routes or courses that share common characteristics.

Are there other phrases I can use instead of "a similar path"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "an analogous route", "a comparable approach", or "a parallel route" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "a similar path" and "similar paths"?

"A similar path" refers to a single, specific route or course of action, while "similar paths" refers to multiple routes or courses of action that share common characteristics. The use of the article "a" indicates singularity.