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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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derailed through

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

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 New York Times

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

Independent

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

The Economist

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.

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 New Yorker

The train derailed while passing through the slum - one of Africa's largest - on its way to Uganda.

News & Media

BBC

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.

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

Los Angeles Times

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

Huffington Post

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

The New York Times
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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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Rare

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.

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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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: