can diverge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can diverge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has the potential to differ or separate from a particular point or standard. Example: "The opinions of the committee members can diverge significantly on this issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Interests and perceptions — even between friends — can diverge.

The New York Times

But everybody also knows that economic fundamentals and share prices can diverge hugely for long periods.

The Guardian - Business

Add in issues of sampling error, and they can diverge for long periods of time.

The New York Times

When those shares trade, their prices can diverge from the value of their assets, often at a lower value.

The New York Times

Chief executives are increasingly conscious of their personal brand and how it can diverge from the corporate brand.

The New York Times - Tech

Further, the medical opinions of investigators, witnesses and committee members, even when they are all doctors in the same specialty, can diverge profoundly.

The New York Times

A party's share of seats in a parliament or a congress can diverge wildly from its over-all share of votes.

The New Yorker

Even in traditional for-profit business, increasing shareholder value (particularly in the near term) can diverge from safety, customer service and quality.

The New York Times

But critics argue that when early-stage investors have been with the company from the beginning, their interests align with management, and can diverge with shareholders.

The New York Times

Another reason that stock gains don't necessarily track economic growth is that the goals of local companies can diverge, for extended periods, from those of fund investors.

The New York Times

The jobs number is based on a survey of employers, and the unemployment rate is based on a separate survey of households, which is why they can diverge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can diverge" to clearly indicate a potential for difference or separation between two or more entities or concepts. It's particularly useful when outlining possibilities or scenarios where uniformity cannot be guaranteed.

Common error

Avoid using "can diverge" when simpler alternatives like "differ" or "vary" would suffice. "Can diverge" implies a more significant separation or deviation, so reserve it for situations where that level of distinction is truly relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can diverge" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing the potential for separation, difference, or deviation. According to Ludwig, this phrase indicates a possibility rather than a certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can diverge" is a versatile expression indicating the potential for separation or difference. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. It is most frequently found in scientific and news media sources, suggesting a neutral register. When choosing "can diverge", consider the nuances of related phrases like "may differ" or "could vary" to ensure the most accurate conveyance of your intended meaning. Avoid overuse in overly simplistic scenarios where simpler alternatives would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may diverge from

Adds "from" to specify the original point, making the divergence more precise.

may deviate

Replaces "can" with "may", suggesting possibility rather than ability to diverge.

could deviate from

Adds "from" to clarify the reference point from which divergence occurs.

might differ

Substitutes "diverge" with "differ", focusing on the aspect of being distinct.

could vary

Emphasizes the potential for change or fluctuation rather than outright separation.

may separate

Focuses on the act of becoming distinct or disconnected.

might branch off

Implies a splitting or branching out from a common point.

might split

Focuses on the action of dividing into distinct parts or directions.

could fork

Suggests a branching or division, often used in technical contexts.

might go their separate ways

Implies a complete parting of ways or pursuing different paths.

FAQs

How to use "can diverge" in a sentence?

You can use "can diverge" to indicate a potential difference or separation, as in "Their opinions "can diverge" significantly on this issue".

What can I say instead of "can diverge"?

Alternatives include "may differ", "could vary", or "might separate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "can diverge" or "may diverge"?

Both "can diverge" and "may diverge" are grammatically correct. "Can" indicates possibility or ability, while "may" suggests possibility or permission. The choice depends on the intended meaning; both "can diverge" and "may diverge" are interchangeable in most contexts.

What's the difference between "can diverge" and "can converge"?

"Can diverge" means to move in different directions or become different, while "can converge" means to move towards a common point or become similar. They are antonyms, representing opposite actions.