can deviate from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can deviate from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something may differ or stray from a particular standard, norm, or expectation. Example: "The results of the experiment can deviate from the initial hypothesis due to unforeseen variables."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The x-axis represents the number of standard deviations that a sensing power measure can deviate from the learning average to be considered as a normal value.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

They give us a map that we can deviate from".

The New York Times

Feelings, laws, and social norms can deviate from what is ethical.

The Guardian - Opinion

In general, the worse the maintenance, the more you can deviate from the straitlaced golfing code.

The New York Times - Travel

"It can deviate from routine when higher interests require it, if the government approves".

The New York Times

And the more we can deviate from the path, the more fun it is.

The New York Times

These restaurants can deviate from old-fashioned notions of hospitality in other ways.

The New York Times - Food

"They can deviate from certain human rights obligations because of the situation of emergency, but it is by no means carte blanche for human rights violations," Gorbunova said.

The Guardian

State law says that no school's nonwhite enrollment can deviate from the districtwide average for schools with the same grade levels by more than 25 percentage points.

The New York Times

Historically, the final popular-vote outcome can deviate from the election-eve generic congressional ballot by a few percentage points, which means that both parties have a decent shot at winning the national House popular vote.

The New Yorker

To that end, Mr. Thompson is trying to speed the decision making in his department, which among other things decides how states can deviate from federal standards on jointly financed programs like Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can deviate from", ensure the context clearly defines the standard or norm from which the deviation occurs to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what the expected value or behavior is.

Common error

A common mistake is using "can deviate from" without clearly stating what the subject is deviating from. Always provide a clear reference point or standard to ensure the sentence's meaning is unambiguous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can deviate from" functions as a verb phrase indicating the possibility of departing or differing from a specified norm, standard, or expectation. It suggests that a subject is not strictly bound by a particular rule or pattern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can deviate from" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates the possibility of departing from a standard or norm. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is common across various contexts, including scientific literature and news media. When employing this phrase, ensure that you clearly specify the reference point to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as "can differ from" or "can vary from" may be used to add nuance. Remember to provide context to enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can depart from

Indicates a formal shift or divergence, often from a previously agreed-upon course or standard.

can differ from

Implies a distinction or dissimilarity between two or more things.

can diverge from

Suggests a gradual separation or moving away from a common point or path.

can vary from

Highlights the possibility of fluctuation or change within a range.

can stray from

Indicates a wandering or unintentional departure from a designated path or topic.

can deflect from

Implies a change in direction, often due to an external force or influence.

can retreat from

Signifies a withdrawal or stepping back from a previous position or commitment.

can shift from

Indicates a movement or change in position, direction, or focus.

can veer from

Suggests a sudden change in direction, often unexpectedly.

can be inconsistent with

Highlights a lack of conformity or agreement with a set of principles or guidelines.

FAQs

How can I use "can deviate from" in a sentence?

Use "can deviate from" to indicate a possible departure or variance from a standard, norm, or expectation. For example, "The experimental results "can deviate from" the theoretical predictions due to unforeseen factors".

What are some alternatives to "can deviate from"?

You can use alternatives like "can differ from", "can vary from", or "can depart from" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "can deviate from"?

Yes, "can deviate from" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its use in reputable sources.

What's the difference between "can deviate from" and "must deviate from"?

"Can deviate from" indicates a possibility or allowance for departure, while "must deviate from" implies a necessity or obligation to depart. The first suggests a choice, the second suggests a requirement.