deviates from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'deviates from' is correct and usable in written English.
It means to move away or to be different from something. For example, "He deviated from the path to take a short cut."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This finding deviates from temperate latitude studies.

Building and Environment

But "State of Denial" deviates from this model.

The New York Times - Books

But here's where my story deviates from the standard script.

The Guardian

*A buyer deviates from normal shipping practices in exporting goods.

The New York Times

Anything that deviates from its narrow strictures must be destroyed.

The Guardian

The new version deviates from Google's celebrated bare-bones style.

The New York Times - Tech

The measured performance slightly deviates from the simulated results.

Nature

Once a month, however, Lin's schedule deviates from the norm.

Stanford University

Emphasis will be on instances where behavior deviates from optimality.

Stanford University

The deal deviates from Mr. Buffett's playbook in several ways.

The New York Times

Some test data deviates from the normal range of value.

Energy Procedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deviates from" to clearly indicate a departure from an established standard, norm, or expectation, ensuring the context makes the nature of the standard clear.

Common error

Avoid using "deviates from" when merely describing a difference without implying a prior standard. If no baseline exists, simply state what is different.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deviates from" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a departure, divergence, or difference from a standard, norm, or expected behavior. As Ludwig AI explains, it signifies moving away or being different from something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deviates from" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate a departure from a standard or norm. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a clear way to highlight differences, variances, or anomalies across various contexts. It is most frequently used in News & Media and scientific writing and its meaning is subtly different from synonyms like ""differs from"" or "varies from". When writing, be sure that you're implying a prior standard when using "deviates from" and not simply using it to describe a situation that is different, where no baseline exists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

departs from

Expresses a more formal and decisive act of moving away from a standard or expected path.

diverges from

Emphasizes a gradual separation or branching off from a common point or path.

differs from

Indicates a distinction or dissimilarity between two things, without necessarily implying a deviation from a norm.

varies from

Suggests a range of differences, implying that there isn't a strict adherence to a single standard.

strays from

Implies a wandering or unintentional departure from a correct or desired course.

is inconsistent with

Denotes a lack of alignment or agreement between two or more things.

contrasts with

Highlights a stark difference or opposition, often used to emphasize the unique qualities of something.

is at odds with

Expresses a direct conflict or opposition, suggesting a fundamental disagreement.

stands apart from

Highlights the uniqueness and distinctiveness of something compared to others.

breaks with

Indicates a deliberate and often dramatic rejection of established norms or traditions.

FAQs

How can I use "deviates from" in a sentence?

Use "deviates from" to show something is different from what is expected or normal. For example, "This model "differs from" the standard approach".

What's the difference between "deviates from" and ""differs from""?

"Deviates from" often implies a departure from a norm or expected path, while ""differs from"" simply indicates a distinction without the implication of a norm being broken.

What can I say instead of "deviates from"?

Alternatives include "departs from", "varies from", or "diverges from" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative when something "deviates from" the norm?

Not necessarily. While "deviates from" can imply a negative departure, it can also describe a positive or neutral difference, depending on the context and whether the norm itself is desirable.