divert back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "divert back" is not standard in written English and may be considered redundant.
It can be used when referring to redirecting something to a previous state or location, but it's better to use simpler terms. Example: "We need to divert back to the original route due to the road closure."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Does he escalate his attacks, exacerbate the left's identity crisis and risk tearing apart the fabric that holds the Democratic Party together, or divert back to a positive message and focus on infusing his views into the Democratic Party's platform at the convention.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The plane was diverted back across peninsular Malaysia and flew off in a north-westerly direction.

The Economist

'X' amount of money won't be diverted back in to the NHS.

The Guardian

After rival crowds briefly outflanked police lines to toss rocks and bottles, march organizers abandoned their plan to parade past Belfast City Hall and diverted back onto Catholic turf.

The New York Times

But Labor's attack on paid parental leave shows how quickly the debate can be diverted back to last year's devastatingly damaging themes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The BA295 flight, which was due to fly from Heathrow to Chicago, was diverted back due to a "technical issue" after it lost two of its five sets of wheels.

Independent

Mr. Gatien tried to get into the boutique hotel business, but was diverted back into nightclubs when RioCan, a large property manager in Canada, asked him to transform a former video arcade in downtown Toronto into a multilevel club.

The New York Times

Yet so palpable are fears over the long-term viability of the casino industry that roughly one-fifth of the money originally intended for economic development across the city and state has in recent years been diverted back to casino-oriented projects.

The New York Times

Says Cohen: "We think capital and developer attention will be diverting back toward rental, and we are beginning to hear that land costs in tertiary markets are easing".

Forbes

Northlink Ferries confirmed that one of its ferries, which had left Shetland and was heading to Aberdeen, had been diverted back to the incident.

BBC

As it turned out, the multimillion dollar pooch died just four years later and her funds were diverted back to the Helmsley family trust to support charities.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "divert back", consider whether the "back" component is truly necessary. Often, "divert" alone suffices to convey the intended meaning. For clarity, specify the destination or reason for the diversion.

Common error

Avoid using "divert back" when the context already implies a return. For instance, instead of "The funds were diverted back to the original project", simply say "The funds were diverted to the original project" to avoid redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "divert back" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of changing the direction of something and returning it to a previous state or location. Ludwig identifies it as acceptable, but suggests considering simpler terms.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically acceptable, the phrase "divert back" is often considered redundant. Ludwig suggests that simpler alternatives like "redirect" or "return to" can often convey the intended meaning more effectively. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. Consider if the "back" element is truly necessary for clarity in your writing. Ludwig AI’s analysis and the provided examples indicate that while the phrase is understood, conciseness should be prioritized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

redirect

A shorter and more direct synonym, implying a change of course or direction.

return to

Focuses on the act of going back to a prior location or condition.

revert to

Emphasizes a return to a previous state, often after a change or deviation.

turn back

Indicates a change of direction to go in the opposite way.

channel back

Implies guiding something back into a specific course or pathway.

funnel back

Similar to 'channel back' but suggests a narrowing or concentration during the return.

route back

Highlights the act of directing something along a return path or course.

send back

Focuses on the action of causing something to return to its origin or sender.

draw back

Implies a retraction or pulling back from a forward position.

shift back

Suggests a change in position or focus, moving back to a previous one.

FAQs

Is "divert back" grammatically correct?

While "divert back" isn't strictly incorrect, it can be considered redundant. The verb "divert" often implies a return to a previous state or location, making the addition of "back" unnecessary. Using just "divert" is often clearer.

When is it appropriate to use "divert back"?

"Divert back" can be used when emphasizing the return to a specific, previously mentioned location or state is crucial for clarity. However, in most cases, alternatives like "redirect" or "return to" are more concise.

What are some alternatives to "divert back"?

Depending on the context, you can use "redirect", "return to", "revert to", or "turn back" as alternatives to "divert back".

Is "divert back" too informal for professional writing?

While not inherently informal, "divert back" might be perceived as less polished than alternatives like "redirect" or "reallocate" in professional or formal writing. Choose the most precise and concise option for your specific context.