branch out

USAGE SUMMARY

"branch out" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to talk about expanding or diversifying something, usually a skill set, pursuits, or interests. For example, "John decided to branch out and pursue a degree in graphic design, even though his previous studies had been focused on engineering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So branch out!

The Guardian - Arts

Q Why did you branch out?

The New York Times

"See them branch out there.

The Guardian

Or are you planning to branch out?

The New York Times - Books

Why did you decide to branch out?

The Washington Post

"You feel you need to branch out".

The New York Times

You're missing opportunities if you don't branch out!

Columbia University

He does not, however, intend to branch out into features.

Independent

We all need to branch out, right?

The New York Times

Branch out and introduce yourself to others.

Forbes

It let's you branch out without risk.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to "branch out", clearly state the area or direction they should consider exploring to make the advice more actionable.

Common error

Avoid using "branch out" without specifying what new areas to explore. Saying "You should branch out" is vague; instead, suggest specific fields or activities.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "branch out" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, indicating the act of expanding one's interests, skills, or activities into new areas. As Ludwig shows, it encourages exploration and diversification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

22%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "branch out" is a common and versatile phrasal verb that encourages expansion and diversification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its communicative purpose is to suggest exploring new opportunities, skills, or activities. While suitable for various contexts, it's most frequently found in news and media. To use it effectively, provide specific areas to explore rather than offering vague advice. Consider alternatives like ""diversify"" or "expand" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diversify

Focuses on increasing variety, often in a business or investment context.

expand

Suggests increasing in size, scope, or extent.

broaden horizons

Implies gaining experience or knowledge in new areas to understand the world.

explore new avenues

Highlights the act of investigating or trying out different possibilities or opportunities.

extend reach

Focuses on increasing the scope of influence or operation.

develop new skills

Highlights the acquisition of new abilities, differing from simply exploring new areas.

move into

Suggests entering a new field, market, or area of activity.

spread out

Indicates dispersing or extending over a wider area.

reach out

Focuses on making contact or extending help or services to others.

try something new

A very general term to express change, it is used when nothing specific is implied.

FAQs

How can I use "branch out" in a sentence?

You can use "branch out" to suggest exploring new interests or activities. For example, "She decided to "branch out" and take a pottery class."

What does it mean to "branch out" professionally?

Professionally, to "branch out" means to "diversify" your skills or responsibilities, potentially moving into new areas within your field or industry.

Is "branching out" a formal expression?

"Branching out" is suitable for both informal and neutral contexts. More formal alternatives might include "expand" or ""diversify"", depending on the specific meaning.

What's the difference between "branch out" and "expand"?

"Branch out" often implies exploring new, related areas, while "expand" suggests growing within an existing area or field.