deviate from the plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deviate from the plan" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used in a context to describe an action that goes outside or against what was originally planned. For example, "We had been planning to launch the project last month, but the budget delays forced us to deviate from the plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"There's no real need in Maryland to deviate from the plan that's already underway," Pierson said.

The Washington Post

But which patients are likely to take their prescription medications correctly and which ones are likely to deviate from the plan?

The New York Times

While other teams had hoped passion and the raw skill of their superstars would carry them forward, Germany in 2014 had invested in long-term capability building, meticulous planning, an inclusive team culture, and competitive intelligence, while empowering players to deviate from the plan when necessary.

Yale University

It's a cliché but it's true: Sometime the biggest scientific breakthroughs are made unexpectedly, when things deviate from the plan.

Science Magazine

"Everything we were told to do at work began to deviate from the plan," he said.

Los Angeles Times

But sometimes, the payoff is far greater when we deviate from the plan and simply say "no".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The archduke completed his official duties, whereupon the governor of Bosnia suggested they deviate from the planned route on the return trip for safety's sake.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In this study, we propose an innovative concept for robust demand-responsive transportation (DRT) systems where vehicles may deviate from the planned route to accept late requests, which are unknown during the planning stage.

Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review

However, in a real drilling process, the actual curvatures and tool-face angles will inevitably deviate from the planned optimal values, thus causing an unexpected increase in the target error.

Applied Mathematics and Computation

This may cause operating characteristics of the main trial, such as the type I error rate, to deviate from the planned values.

British Journal of Cancer

On his way to the bash, James' conscience pricks him into deviating from the plan.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before deviating from a plan, assess the potential consequences and communicate the changes to all relevant stakeholders.

Common error

Avoid using "deviate from the plan" without providing context or justification. Unexplained deviations can lead to confusion and mistrust.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deviate from the plan" functions as a verb phrase indicating a departure or alteration from an established course of action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

28%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deviate from the plan" is a commonly used expression to describe a departure from an established course of action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility. Our analysis, backed by real-world examples, shows it functions primarily to explain a change in strategy or execution. While suitable for various contexts, it's most frequent in News & Media, Science, and Wiki. Key usage tips include clearly stating reasons for deviation to avoid confusion. Alternatives like ""diverge from the plan"" or ""stray from the plan"" offer nuanced semantic variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diverge from the plan

Emphasizes a branching off or moving in a different direction from the original plan.

depart from the plan

Suggests a more formal or significant change in direction.

stray from the plan

Implies a wandering or unintentional departure from the intended course.

veer from the plan

Suggests a slight change in direction, possibly due to external forces.

break from the plan

Highlights a more abrupt or decisive change in the planned course of action.

alter the plan

Focuses on the act of changing or modifying the plan itself.

modify the strategy

Shifts the focus to a change in the overall strategy, not just the immediate plan.

adjust the course

Emphasizes a correction or alteration of the intended path.

abandon the plan

Signifies a complete rejection or cessation of the original plan.

reconsider the approach

Suggests a thoughtful review and possible change of the method being used.

FAQs

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

You can use "deviate from the plan" to describe a situation where someone or something doesn't follow the original plan. For example, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to "diverge from the plan"."

What are some alternatives to "deviate from the plan"?

Some alternatives include "diverge from the plan", "stray from the plan", or "alter the plan" depending on the specific context.

When is it acceptable to "deviate from the plan"?

It's acceptable to "deviate from the plan" when unexpected issues arise, new information becomes available, or the original plan proves to be ineffective or unsuitable. Always communicate the reason for the deviation.

What's the difference between "deviate from the plan" and "abandon the plan"?

"Deviate from the plan" implies a change or modification to the original plan, while "abandon the plan" suggests a complete rejection of the original plan and a move in a completely new direction.