make a detour

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a detour" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that someone takes an alternate route that is longer or more indirect than the most direct route between two points. For example: "We need to make a detour to avoid traffic on the highway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Coach parties of Americans make a detour here.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For the detection task, we make a detour via the two dimensional autocorrelation.

Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing

It's rare these days that I make a detour into the children's section of the bookshop.

The Guardian - Books

Is there time, I wonder, to make a detour via Edgware Road?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Our driver, who is from the Dominican Republic, Rafael, asked us to make a detour.

The Guardian

The aircraft, with more than 100 people on board, was forced to make a detour.

The Guardian

In 2008, the Olympic torch relay had to make a detour so the hoopla would not disturb test-taking students.

The New York Times

In order for it to reach the base of the column, it must make a detour through the beam.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The clothing designer would begin with a run, make a detour to Dupont Circle and end at The Anthem.

The Washington Post

Sometimes I have to make a detour around the large puddles or small lakes left behind by the retreating water.

The Guardian - Books

Inspector Maigret would make a detour for skate wings with black butter, mussels in cream and choucroute.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make a detour" to clearly indicate a planned or necessary deviation from a direct route. It implies a conscious choice to alter the course.

Common error

Avoid using "make a detour" when you mean to create a "diversion" (a distraction). A detour is a planned route change, while a diversion is a tactic to draw attention away from something else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a detour" functions as a verb phrase, typically serving as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the action of changing route or deviating from a planned path. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is perfectly correct and widely employed across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make a detour" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that indicates a change in route, often due to necessity or intention. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and applicable across a range of contexts, from formal news reports to informal conversations. Predominantly found in "News & Media" sources, its neutral register and clear meaning make it a reliable choice for expressing route deviations. Related phrases include "take a diversion" and "take an alternate route", but be mindful of the subtle differences in connotation. Avoid confusing "detour" with "diversion", as they have distinct meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a diversion

Focuses on creating a distraction or changing direction, similar to avoiding a direct route.

take an alternate route

Emphasizes choosing a different path than the original one.

go the long way around

Highlights the increased distance of the chosen route.

deviate from the path

Focuses on straying from the intended course or plan.

take a roundabout way

Indicates a route that is not direct and possibly longer.

divert from the original plan

Highlights a change in the planned course of action.

change course

Suggests altering the direction or strategy being followed.

veer off course

Emphasizes a sudden change in direction.

go off on a tangent

Implies a sudden and less relevant change in direction or topic.

stray from the intended route

Focuses on unintentionally moving away from the planned direction.

FAQs

How can I use "make a detour" in a sentence?

You can use "make a detour" to describe a change in route to avoid an obstacle or visit a specific location. For example, "We had to "make a detour" because the road was closed."

What's a simpler way to say "make a detour"?

Simpler alternatives to "make a detour" include "take a diversion", "take an alternate route", or "go the long way around", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "do a detour" instead of "make a detour"?

While "do" can sometimes replace "make", it's not idiomatic to say "do a detour". The correct and more common phrase is ""make a detour"".

What's the difference between "make a detour" and "veer off course"?

"Make a detour" implies a planned change of route, while "veer off course" suggests a more sudden, unintentional deviation.