going down that route

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going down that route" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a choice or direction in decision-making or problem-solving. Example: "I understand your concerns, but I believe going down that route could lead to better outcomes for our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

None of us wants to contemplate going down that route.

The Guardian - Opinion

And no doubt many of us will try going down that route.

Independent

"But you will have to overcome a significant hurdle in going down that route".

The New York Times

Professor Laugesen and Ms. Glied refrain from going down that route.

The New York Times

I am not going down that route," Mr Major was quoted as saying.

The Guardian

And if we're going down that route, let's not stop at supermarket checkout lanes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Could BlackBerry go down that route?

The Guardian - Tech

If we go down that route, where do we stop?

The New York Times

I know people who've gone down that route.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We can't let rugby go down that route".

The Guardian - Sport

"Do not go down that route," came the message.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going down that route" when you want to clearly indicate a conscious decision to follow a particular course of action, especially when alternatives exist.

Common error

While acceptable, "going down that route" can sound informal. In highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "adopting that approach" or "pursuing that course".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going down that route" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically acting as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the manner or direction in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

25%

General Discussion

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "going down that route" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate choosing a particular course of action or strategy. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely used in various contexts, especially in news and media, although it leans toward the informal side. While versatile, it may be more appropriate to use more formal alternatives in academic or business writing. Several alternative phrases exist, such as "taking that path" or "choosing that option", which can provide a slightly different nuance to the expression. The phrase's widespread use across reputable sources confirms its reliability in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking that path

Emphasizes the journey or progression along a specific course.

choosing that option

Focuses on the act of selecting a specific alternative from several possibilities.

pursuing that course

Highlights a dedicated effort towards a specific goal or direction.

adopting that approach

Suggests a deliberate and considered method of dealing with a situation.

following that strategy

Implies a planned and methodical series of actions to achieve a particular outcome.

heading in that direction

Indicates a movement or progression toward a specific goal or outcome.

opting for that alternative

Highlights the decision to select one particular option from a range of choices.

selecting that course of action

Emphasizes the deliberate choice of a particular method or strategy.

taking that road

Uses a metaphorical expression to suggest a journey or progression toward a destination.

embarking on that course

Highlights the commencement or beginning of a new journey or undertaking.

FAQs

What does "going down that route" mean?

It means choosing a specific course of action or strategy from available options. It suggests a deliberate decision to proceed in a particular direction.

What can I say instead of "going down that route"?

You can use alternatives like "taking that path", "choosing that option", or "pursuing that course" depending on the context.

Is "going down that route" formal or informal?

The phrase "going down that route" is generally considered informal. While widely used and understood, it might not be suitable for highly formal or academic writing. Consider more formal alternatives in those contexts.

How do I use "going down that route" in a sentence?

You can use "going down that route" to express a choice of action. For example, "If we decide on expansion, "taking that path" requires significant investment".