deviating

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'deviating' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is moving away from the expected, usual, or normal course. For example: "He noticed the plane quickly deviating from its original flight path."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both authors capture a violation of cp-conditions as a deviation from inertial behavior, where deviating from inertial behavior is itself a process governed by laws of deviation (Maudlin) or laws of interaction and composition (Hüttemann).

SEP

Because doing so is generally but imperfectly optimal, and we are unable to discriminate for cases in which deviation form the rules is suboptimal without deviating from them in other cases in which it is not.

SEP

The ship's owner says the captain, Francesco Schettino, caused the crash by deviating from the authorised course.

The Guardian

He spent much of the day laying out his case against warrantless surveillance, deviating only briefly to address another one of his pet issues – criminal justice reform.

The Guardian

He and his colleagues noticed soon afterwards that the sibling crafts' trajectories were deviating from those predicted by Einstein.

The Economist

Yet, when they were swept to an overall majority in the election of November 3rd, Mr Erdogan reassured the nation that he had no intention of deviating from Turkey's solidly pro-western and secular policies.

The Economist

It applies a range of statistical tests (linear-regression analysis is one of the more familiar) to the data stream, and thus works out when the incoming signals are deviating significantly from normal behaviour.

The Economist

Regarding this chart:He writes:Mr Smith thinks the Depression and the second world war are merely bumps here deviating from the long-term average, but this graph doesn't tell us that because it doesn't show what long-term growth was before 1929.

The Economist

The Conservatives have referred to spending in real terms since the coalition agreement, and there is no reason to stop now.Mr Cameron should be wary of deviating from standard measures: when calculated per head, for example, (and adjusted for demand based on age), NHS spending has actually been falling since 2013.

The Economist

Why were they suddenly in a position where deviating from the truth was even a temptation?

The Economist

Mr Smith thinks the Depression and the second world war are merely bumps here deviating from the long-term average, but this graph doesn't tell us that because it doesn't show what long-term growth was before 1929.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deviating", ensure the context clearly establishes the original path, standard, or expectation from which the subject is diverging. This provides clarity and emphasizes the extent of the deviation.

Common error

Avoid using "deviating" without a clear point of reference. It must be evident what the subject is deviating from. Without this, the statement becomes vague and lacks impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deviating" is that of a present participle, often acting as part of a continuous verb form (e.g., "is deviating") or as an adjective modifying a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word signals movement away from an expected norm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deviating" functions as a present participle, primarily describing a departure from an established norm, standard, or expected course. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its usage spans various contexts, including news reports, scientific analyses, and encyclopedic entries, denoting a neutral register. It is most frequently encountered in "News & Media", "Science", and "Encyclopedias". When using "deviating", ensure there's a clear reference point to what's being departed from. Alternatives like "straying", "diverging", and "departing" can provide nuanced variations. Mastering "deviating" enhances clarity and precision in describing shifts and alterations across diverse subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

straying

Focuses on wandering or departing from a correct path, often implying a moral or ethical context.

diverging

Highlights a branching off or moving in a different direction, often used in physical or abstract contexts.

departing

Emphasizes the act of leaving or moving away from a specific point or standard.

veering

Implies a sudden change in direction, often suggesting a loss of control or a deliberate swerve.

digressing

Specifically refers to wandering away from the main subject or topic in speech or writing.

wandering

Suggests moving aimlessly away from a set course or expected behavior.

drifting

Implies a gradual and passive movement away from a desired position or state.

swerving

Indicates an abrupt change in direction, often to avoid an obstacle or collision.

digressing

Highlights a temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing, before returning to it.

turning aside

Means going in a different direction to avoid someone or something or to visit somewhere.

FAQs

How can I use "deviating" in a sentence?

You can use "deviating" to describe something moving away from a standard, expected course, or established norm. For instance, "The ship was "deviating from its course" due to the storm".

What are some alternatives to using "deviating"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "straying", "diverging", or "departing". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as "deviating"?

Not necessarily. Whether "deviating" has a negative connotation depends on the context. It can be neutral, simply indicating a difference, or it can be positive if the deviation leads to a better outcome. For example, "deviating from the norm led to a creative breakthrough".

What's the difference between "deviating" and "diverging"?

"Deviating" generally means moving away from an established path or standard, while "diverging" suggests branching off into a different direction. While similar, "diverging" often implies two or more distinct paths are being taken.