go down that path

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go down that path" is correct in written English.
It is often used to mean taking a course of action, especially when there is a possibility of multiple choices. Example: "I'm not sure what the best option is for our project, but I think we should go down that path."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is still unclear whether Harrisburg will actually go down that path.

The New York Times

It was interesting to see artists go down that path as well".

BBC

Why go down that path again?

HuffPost

Peters might have been expecting help; he declined to elaborate or even go down that path.

Los Angeles Times

Do we really want to go down that path?

The New Yorker

We can't afford to go down that path.

Independent

I should've tried not to go down that path.

The New Yorker

"We're not going to go down that path again".

The New York Times

"It interested me to go down that path.

The New York Times - Arts

They can't go down that path," he said.

The Guardian

Do we seriously want to go down that path?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "go down that path" with a clear explanation of why the path is being considered or avoided, providing context for the decision.

Common error

Avoid using "go down that path" without clearly specifying what the path entails. Ensure your audience understands the implications of the described action to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go down that path" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of choosing and following a specific course. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and is widely used to denote a decision to take a certain route or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "go down that path" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe the act of choosing and following a specific course of action. According to Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, academic, and scientific domains. While its register is generally neutral, the expression's suitability for formal or informal settings largely depends on surrounding context. When using this phrase, ensure you provide enough context to avoid ambiguity and clearly explain the implications of the action being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take that route

This alternative suggests choosing a specific direction or course, focusing on the act of selecting a path.

pursue that course

This emphasizes the active continuation and commitment to a chosen course of action.

follow that direction

This highlights the act of adhering to a particular direction or guidance.

embark on that journey

This phrase adds a sense of adventure and commitment to a potentially long and involved process.

choose that option

This focuses on the selection of a specific choice from a set of possibilities.

adopt that approach

This highlights the implementation of a specific method or strategy.

head in that direction

Implies starting to move towards a specific aim or goal.

travel that road

This alternative uses a metaphor to represent a life journey or a series of events.

take that course of action

This option emphasizes the specific actions and steps involved in a particular course.

opt for that alternative

This suggests selecting a specific alternative from a range of choices.

FAQs

What does it mean to "go down that path"?

To "go down that path" means to choose a particular course of action or make a specific decision, often one that has significant or potentially irreversible consequences.

What are some alternatives to saying "go down that path"?

You can use alternatives like "take that route", "pursue that course", or "follow that direction" depending on the context.

Is it better to "go down that path" or avoid it?

Whether to "go down that path" depends entirely on the specific circumstances and potential outcomes. Consider the risks and benefits carefully before deciding.

Can you provide an example of how to use "go down that path" in a sentence?

A sentence using "go down that path" could be: "We must carefully consider the risks before we decide to "go down that path"."