embark on a trajectory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "embark on a trajectory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the beginning of a journey, process, or course of action that is expected to lead to a particular outcome. Example: "After much consideration, the company decided to embark on a trajectory of innovation and sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In addition, I investigate if either paralog is equally likely to embark on a trajectory of accelerated sequence evolution or whether the derived paralog is more likely to exhibit faster sequence evolution.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The constituency voted heavily to remain within the European Union and the government is embarked on a trajectory towards one of the harder versions of Brexit.

The Guardian - Opinion

Congressional Democrats embarked on a similar arms race.

The New York Times

Because newborn gene duplicates were thought to be redundant to the ancestral copy with respect to sequence and functionality, Ohno's model also implicitly assumes that the either copy had the evolutionary potential to maintain the ancestral role or embark on a novel trajectory.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The gradual accumulation of mutations under conditions of relaxed selective constraints in one paralog enabled it to embark on a novel evolutionary trajectory leading to one of two alternative fates (neofunctionalization or nonfunctionalization).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

And voters can sometimes have a delayed reaction to these sorts of events: Rick Perry's poorly received debate on Sept. 22 initially produced little change in the polls, but his numbers began to embark on a sharp downward trajectory about a week later.

The New York Times

They never embark on a significant growth trajectory (Storey 1994), because of poor engagement on entrepreneurship.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

By providing company stakeholders with a holistic view of the entire organization, the CFO takes center stage and enables the executive team and board of directors to embark on a rapid growth trajectory.

TechCrunch

Alternatively, the duplicate copy may embark on a novel evolutionary trajectory towards neofunctionalization by gaining novel promoters and/or coding sequence tracts.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Because the two paralogs were expected to be functionally identical under Ohno's model [ 14], either copy could take on the role of maintaining the ancestral function, freeing the other redundant copy to embark on a novel evolutionary trajectory [ 1].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Hence, distant paralogs are more likely to embark on a novel evolutionary trajectory given that the probability of homogenization with the ancestral copy due to gene conversion events is reduced [ 47].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "embark on a trajectory" to describe the start of a significant, often long-term, change or development. It's best suited for situations where the direction and potential outcome are somewhat clear from the beginning.

Common error

Avoid using "embark on a trajectory" for everyday activities. This phrase is best reserved for describing strategic shifts, long-term projects, or significant life changes. Simpler phrases like "start a project" or "begin a journey" might be more appropriate for less momentous occasions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "embark on a trajectory" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a directed path or course. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in both evolutionary biology and political contexts, denoting the initiation of a process expected to follow a certain direction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "embark on a trajectory" signifies the beginning of a directed journey or course of action, often with an implied sense of purpose and foresight. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While suitable for formal and scientific contexts, simpler alternatives might be preferred in casual settings. It appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources. Consider it when describing strategic shifts, long-term projects, or significant changes where a specific outcome is anticipated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin a journey

Focuses on the starting point of a journey, whether literal or figurative.

start a course

Emphasizes the initiation of a defined path or program.

set out on a path

Highlights the act of beginning a new direction or way of life.

launch into a direction

Implies a more forceful or ambitious start towards a specific goal.

commence a voyage

Suggests a longer, more exploratory undertaking.

initiate a plan

Highlights the implementation of a detailed scheme or strategy.

undertake a venture

Implies a more risky or uncertain beginning.

set forth on a quest

Suggests a search or pursuit with a specific objective.

inaugurate a process

Focuses on the formal start of a series of actions or events.

kick off an initiative

Implies an enthusiastic and energetic beginning to a new project.

FAQs

What does "embark on a trajectory" mean?

The phrase "embark on a trajectory" means to begin a course of action or journey that is expected to lead to a particular outcome or follow a specific path. It implies a deliberate start towards a defined goal or direction.

What can I say instead of "embark on a trajectory"?

You can use alternatives like "begin a journey", "start a course", or "set out on a path" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "embark in a trajectory"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "embark" in this context is "on". Therefore, "embark on a trajectory" is the grammatically correct phrase.

How formal is the phrase "embark on a trajectory"?

The phrase "embark on a trajectory" is relatively formal and is often used in professional, academic, or news contexts. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.