detour and return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "detour and return" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a journey or a process that involves taking a longer or indirect route before coming back to the original point. Example: "Due to road construction, we had to take a detour and return to the main highway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Detour and return to Disney: In 1999, Yanover and a fellow Disney executive left the company to create a start-up called Ceiva Logic, which makes Internet-connected frames for sharing digital photos.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The album is deeply pleasurable, consisting of compressed, torqued-up rock songs that rarely detour into instrumental passages and return single-mindedly to choruses that range from the reasonably hummable to the eminently hummable.

The New Yorker

Before a long run, I squirrel away in my memory details from the OS map in my backpack; emergency provisions for the imagination that will fuel unanticipated detours from my planned route and return me safely home.

The Guardian - Books

To tackle the entire Loire à Vélo, grab some wheels in the small commune of Cuffy (about 2.5 hours south of Paris by car) and return them at the Detours de Loire shop in the city of Saint-Nazaire along the Atlantic coast.

The Guardian - Travel

His first solo release in three years and his debut album on Warp Records, Atrocity Exhibition will take a detour from his EDM-heavy 2013 album Old and return to his sample-based origins.

Vice

It has taken us a long detour to return to this understanding, a detour costly in dollars and in human wreckage; but now that we have regained our bearings, we can be confident that our philanthropic giving will do good to those we sincerely aim to help.

Forbes

This playhouse, a re-creation of the Blackfriars Playhouse in London, will house productions of "Romeo and Juliet," "All's Well That Ends Well," and, in a slight detour, Bob Carlton's "Return to the Forbidden Planet"; [phone], ASCStaunton.com.

The New York Times

A fascinating place, well worth the detour, and free.

The New York Times - Travel

"The police sent me on a detour, and I got stuck".

The New York Times

Excellent detour and way tougher calf tattoos than Rival Mob.

Vice

But humans need meaning, and frequently the detour through unbelief returns the spiritual seeker to a more holistic and all-encompassing faith: mysticism.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "detour and return" to describe a temporary deviation from a plan or course before reverting to the original plan, especially when emphasizing the eventual return to the initial objective.

Common error

Avoid using "detour and return" excessively in formal documents where more precise language might be preferred. Instead, consider alternatives like "deviation and resumption" or "temporary divergence and subsequent convergence" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "detour and return" functions as a compound expression, acting primarily as a noun phrase or adverbial modifier. It describes a temporary deviation from a planned route or activity before reverting to the original path. Ludwig shows instances in news articles and scientific papers.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "detour and return" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression that is used to describe a temporary deviation from a path before returning. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of the phrase. While it may not be extremely common, it appears in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, and its register is generally neutral. When considering the appropriate alternatives, consider more formal options such as "deviation and resumption" for professional contexts. This analysis shows that while not ubiquitous, the phrase is a valid and useful part of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deviate and revert

Replaces "detour" with "deviate" and "return" with "revert", emphasizing a departure and a subsequent return.

diverge and converge

Uses "diverge" to indicate a splitting off from a path, and "converge" to suggest the act of coming back together.

veer and resume

Veer suggests a change in direction, while resume implies the continuation of the original path.

stray and come back

"Stray" implies wandering from the intended course, and "come back" suggests a return to it.

digress and loop back

"Digress" suggests moving away from the main topic or path, and "loop back" implies returning in a circular fashion.

wander and circle back

"Wander" describes aimless movement away from a path, and "circle back" suggests returning along a curved route.

divert and rally

Divert highlights a change in direction, while rally suggests regrouping and returning.

meander and retrace

"Meander" indicates a winding path, and "retrace" suggests going back along the same route.

swing and rebound

"Swing" suggests a wide deviation, while "rebound" indicates a quick return.

branch off and rejoin

"Branch off" indicates splitting from the main path, and "rejoin" implies merging back onto it.

FAQs

How can I use "detour and return" in a sentence?

You can use "detour and return" to describe a temporary deviation from a planned route or activity before reverting to the original plan. For example, "Due to construction, we had to take a "detour and return" to the highway later on."

What phrases are similar to "detour and return"?

Similar phrases include "deviate and revert", "diverge and converge", or "veer and resume", all suggesting a temporary deviation from a path before returning.

Is "detour and return" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "detour and return" may sound less formal. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "deviation and resumption" or "temporary divergence and subsequent convergence".

What is the difference between "detour and return" and "round trip"?

"Detour and return" implies a deviation from the most direct route with a return to the original path. A "round trip" describes a journey to a destination and back, but it doesn't necessarily imply a deviation from the most direct path or an unexpected change of plans. Instead, the "round trip" follows a defined plan.