diverges from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "diverges from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe two things that were initially similar, but have since become noticeably different. For example, you could say, "The path of our conversation diverged from the original topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But he also diverges from the mainstream.

The New York Times

The movie diverges from Ms. Barber's story in several details.

The New York Times

That is where Santana diverges from Brown and Johnson.

The New York Times - Sports

But the Jefferies deal diverges from the Berkshire model.

The New York Times

It's here that Rose diverges from many in the rest of the industry.

The Guardian - Tech

In some ways, the score diverges from the Wandelweiser norm, if such a thing exists.

The New Yorker

Possibly, it is because his own narration constantly diverges from the expected and the evident.

The New York Times - Sports

Here we highlight key passages in which Lord Saville's report diverges from its forerunner.

The Guardian

For the most part, though, the populism of the Philharmonie diverges from Boulez's philosophy.

The New Yorker

The list diverges from a false lineup leaked at the start of the month.

The Guardian - Film

They say it diverges from understandings reached with the Bush administration.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "diverges from", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the subject is diverging from. Lack of clarity can confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "diverges from" when you mean complete opposition. This phrase implies a partial departure, not a total contradiction. If something is the opposite, use stronger terms like "contradicts" or "opposes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diverges from" functions as a verb phrase indicating a departure or deviation from a previous course, standard, or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "diverges from" is a versatile tool for highlighting distinctions, with Ludwig confirming its proper usage in English. Grammatically sound, it frequently appears in news, scientific, and business contexts to emphasize a departure from a standard or expectation. While alternatives like "departs from" and ""differs from"" exist, "diverges from" particularly emphasizes an initial similarity followed by a separation. When writing, ensure clarity about what is being diverged from, and avoid using it to indicate total opposition. As Ludwig AI says, you can use it when you want to describe two things that were initially similar, but have since become noticeably different.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

departs from

Emphasizes a physical or metaphorical leaving of a path or standard.

deviates from

Highlights a straying or wandering away from a set course or norm.

differs from

Focuses on the state of being unlike or dissimilar.

varies from

Suggests a range of differences or fluctuations.

breaks with

Indicates a more abrupt and intentional separation from a tradition or standard.

contrasts with

Points out clear differences when compared side by side.

departs from the norm

Specifies that something is different than what is considered normal or typical.

strays from

Implies an unintentional or gradual departure.

bears little resemblance to

Shows a strong distinction in features or character.

marks a departure from

Indicates that a thing represents a notable change of position from a traditional or generally accepted course of action.

FAQs

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

The phrase "diverges from" is used to indicate a departure or difference from a standard, expectation, or another entity. For example, "This study "differs from" previous research in its methodology."

What are some alternatives to "diverges from"?

You can use alternatives such as "departs from", "deviates from", or ""differs from"" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "diverges from" or "differs from"?

"Diverges from" and "differs from" are both suitable for formal contexts. However, "diverges from" might imply a more significant or unexpected departure than ""differs from"".

What's the difference between "diverges from" and "contrasts with"?

"Diverges from" suggests a point where two things initially similar begin to differ, while "contrasts with" simply highlights the differences between two things without implying a prior similarity or shared path.