divert off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "divert off" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to change direction or to take a different route. Example: Due to heavy traffic, we decided to divert off the main highway and take a back road to our destination.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If they run into issues, or divert off the usual route, a call centre will get in touch.

The Guardian

Even in Damascus, where government forces are meant to be advancing, we had to divert off a main road because snipers were shooting at vehicles at a suburb called Harasta.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Fedorov, V. D., Themeli, M. & Sadelain, M. PD-1 and CTLA-4-based inhibitory chimeric antigen receptors (iCARs) divert off-target immunotherapy responses.

Nature

At Edinburgh we diverted off the traditional route and made our way to Melrose, crossing into England at Carter Bar.

The Guardian - Travel

And so I refused to get diverted off on the various comments that maybe made at one time or another," the majority leader said.

The Washington Post

Or, if you're diverted off on to a smaller road, there's a canine beautician in the village of Ewell Minnis.

The Guardian - Travel

The visitors looked much more livelier from the outset and it was no surprise when Edwards carried the ball almost half the length of the pitch and scored with an effort that diverted off Leon Barnett and looped over the head of goalkeeper Scott Carson.

BBC

The road then continues eastward through more farms to Elkton, diverting off a direct course to cross a line of the Huron and Eastern Railway on the east side of town.

Wikipedia

Koscielny had actually kicked it against himself but his close-range shot was going wide until it diverted off the scorer's elbow.

The Guardian - Sport

The airliner diverted off course and lost contact with air traffic controllers between Malaysian and Vietnamese air-traffic control areas.

BBC

Traffic was diverted off the M4 between junctions 41 and 42 because of winds on Briton Ferry bridge.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "divert off" when you want to emphasize a temporary change in route or course, suggesting a return to the original path is possible.

Common error

Avoid using "divert off" when you mean a permanent change of direction or a complete abandonment of the original plan. In such cases, consider using "divert completely" or "abandon" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "divert off" is that of a phrasal verb, indicating a change in direction or a temporary departure from a course. As Ludwig shows, it commonly relates to routes and plans.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "divert off" functions as a phrasal verb used to describe a temporary change in direction or course. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is grammatically correct, although it is relatively rare. It is mostly found in News & Media and Science contexts. The phrase indicates a deviation from an established route and its nuance implies a potential return to the original path. When writing, be mindful of this implication and choose alternatives like "veer off" or "deviate from" if a permanent change is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divert from

Represents the action of changing the course of something.

veer off

Emphasizes a sudden change in direction, often used in the context of driving or paths.

deflect off

Suggests a change in direction due to impact or contact with something.

stray from

Implies wandering or deviating from a planned course or topic.

deviate from

Formally indicates moving away from a standard or expected path.

turn aside

Highlights a deliberate act of changing direction or focus.

diverge from

Suggests branching out or separating from a main path or idea.

shift away from

Indicates a gradual change in focus or direction.

break away from

Suggests a forceful or abrupt departure from a group or plan.

wander from

Implies a less intentional deviation, often associated with getting lost.

FAQs

How can I use "divert off" in a sentence?

You can use "divert off" to describe a temporary change in route or course, for example: "Due to the accident, traffic had to "be diverted off" the highway."

What's a similar phrase to "divert off"?

Similar phrases include "veer off", "deviate from", or "stray from", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "divert off the path"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It suggests a temporary departure from the intended route or plan. A similar construction could be "divert from the path".

What's the difference between "divert" and "divert off"?

"Divert" generally means to change the direction or course of something. "Divert off" is more specific, implying a temporary or short-term change from a main route or course, with an implication of returning to it later. You "divert traffic" during construction; you might "divert off the road" to avoid a fallen tree.