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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
derailed through
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "derailed through" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe a situation where something is disrupted or thrown off course, but the combination of "derailed" and "through" is awkward and unclear. Example: "The project was derailed through unforeseen circumstances, leading to significant delays."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(4)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
It would compound yesterday's tragedy if the push for desperately needed immigration reform were derailed through a deadly combination of overreaction and xenophobia.
News & Media
The problem of data veracity addresses the need to verify humanitarian/crisis data, so that the credibility of data sources is established (e.g., by verifying metadata which is data about data, that describes the content and context to ensure that data is reliable) and humanitarian efforts are not derailed through the spreading of incorrect or stale information.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
The pretty, tree-lined streets of the Tuscan seaside resort of Viareggio would still have been busy just before midnight on Monday, when a freight train passing through derailed.
News & Media
The spring crisis derailed American growth through the summer, in part because the Fed didn't get around to responding to falling growth expectations until the fall.
News & Media
This is a fair question, given how many actors momentarily or otherwise derailed their careers through bad plastic surgery, from Jennifer Grey to Mickey Rourke.
News & Media
During this period, St. Aubyn had the sense to return to London, and to enroll for a few months in a college that pushed derailed young people through the Oxford and Cambridge entrance exams.
News & Media
The train derailed while passing through the slum - one of Africa's largest - on its way to Uganda.
News & Media
A headstone of white Italian marble, paid for by Poe's cousin Neilson Poe, was destroyed before it reached the grave when a train derailed and plowed through the monument yard where it was being kept.
Wiki
From the off-season moves that never clicked to the 1-7-2 start that nearly derailed them and through the goal famine that darkened their December, the Ducks have had to battle for every bit of progress they've made.
News & Media
Full steam ahead, tooting its merry horn, nary a thought for the fact that it's derailed and tearing through the countryside, mowing over everything and everyone in its path.
News & Media
And while members of both parties think the chances are good that Mr. Hagel will win confirmation, the neoconservatives are behind some of the most aggressive efforts to derail it, through television advertisements, op-ed articles in prominent publications and pressure on Capitol Hill, where some Democrats, including Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York, have also indicated reservations.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using "derailed through". Opt for clearer alternatives like "derailed by" or "disrupted by" to ensure better clarity and grammatical correctness in your writing.
Common error
Writers sometimes incorrectly pair "derailed" with "through", assuming it indicates a process. However, "derailed" typically takes "by" to indicate the cause of the disruption.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "derailed through" attempts to function as a verb phrase indicating that something was disrupted or diverted. However, this usage is considered incorrect. Better alternatives are phrases like "derailed by" or "disrupted by". As Ludwig AI highlights, the construction is awkward and unclear.
Frequent in
News & Media
50%
Science
50%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "derailed through" appears in some sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI points out that it is an awkward and unclear construction, and using alternatives like "derailed by" or "disrupted by" is advisable for clarity and correctness. The phrase's infrequent usage and questionable grammatical standing suggest avoiding it in formal writing and opting for more standard English expressions.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
disrupted by
Replaces "derailed" with a more common synonym and uses the more appropriate preposition "by".
hindered by
Emphasizes the obstruction or impediment caused.
obstructed by
Similar to 'hindered', but more directly implies something blocking progress.
sabotaged by
Suggests intentional disruption or damage.
undermined by
Indicates a weakening or gradual destruction.
thrown off course by
Uses a more idiomatic expression for being diverted.
stymied by
More formal and emphasizes being blocked or prevented from succeeding.
impeded by
Highlights the difficulty or delay caused.
compromised by
Suggests that something has been weakened or made less effective.
ruined by
Emphasizes a complete destruction or failure.
FAQs
What's a clearer alternative to "derailed through"?
Consider using alternatives like "derailed by", "disrupted by", or "hindered by" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.
Is "derailed through" grammatically correct?
No, the phrase "derailed through" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "derailed by".
How can I use "derailed" in a sentence correctly?
Use "derailed" with prepositions like "by" or "from". For example, "The project was derailed by unforeseen circumstances" or "The train was "derailed from" its course".
What does it mean when something is described as "derailed"?
When something is "derailed", it means it has been disrupted, thrown off course, or prevented from progressing as planned. It implies a sudden and often unexpected interruption.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested