our paths diverged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "our paths diverged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two individuals or groups have taken different directions or made different choices in life. Example: "After college, our paths diverged as I pursued a career in finance while she chose to travel the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Soon, our paths diverged.

The New York Times

"We're just not working well together, and it's time our paths diverged".

The New York Times

Oriana and I kept in touch for several years, but our paths diverged and she died in 2006.

The Guardian

Or maybe in fact we were very similar but our paths diverged, and the context of our lives made us seem more different than we really were.

The Guardian - Music

Three beautiful, sozzled men with flowers in their turbans walked with us for about half an hour, before our paths diverged.

The Guardian - Books

Our paths diverged again when Maziar accepted a postdoc in the United Kingdom.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Where our paths diverge, I suppose, is over the methods of attraction.

The New York Times

JM: I think this may be one place where our paths diverge somewhat.

HuffPost

By the time you get to orangutans, from whom our path diverged some 13 million years ago, the sounds are more similar to those produced by gibbons, monkeys and the rest of the lesser apes.

The Guardian

But our political paths diverged.

The Guardian

After five years, our concurrent paths diverged.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "our paths diverged" to describe a significant change in direction or focus in relationships, careers, or personal lives. It's suitable when referring to a point where shared experiences or goals ceased.

Common error

Avoid using "our paths diverged" when simply describing a temporary separation. This phrase implies a more permanent or impactful change in direction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our paths diverged" functions as a statement indicating that the courses of two or more entities, typically people or organizations, have separated. Ludwig confirms its usability, reflecting its role in describing shifts in relationships or directions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Science & Research

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "our paths diverged" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a separation in direction or life course, as verified by Ludwig. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news and media contexts and is generally considered to have a neutral register. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various scenarios, from describing career changes to shifts in personal relationships. Alternatives like "we went our separate ways" or "our lives took different turns" offer similar meanings. It is important to use this phrase when describing a significant, rather than temporary, separation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we went our separate ways

Indicates a mutual decision to follow different directions. This alternative is a common and straightforward way to express separation.

our lives took different turns

Focuses on the change in life direction rather than the physical act of diverging.

we parted ways

A more concise and direct way of saying "our paths diverged", emphasizing the separation.

our roads separated

Uses the metaphor of roads to describe the divergence in direction.

we branched off

Suggests a split from a common origin or starting point.

our careers evolved differently

Specifically refers to a divergence in professional paths.

we followed different trajectories

Emphasizes the different outcomes and progressions resulting from the divergence.

we began to drift apart

Suggests a gradual separation rather than an immediate split.

our interests diverged

Focuses on the shift in interests and passions that led to the separation.

we took different directions

A simple and clear way of saying that they chose to move in different ways.

FAQs

What does it mean when you say "our paths diverged"?

Saying "our paths diverged" means that two or more people who were once going in a similar direction or sharing similar experiences have since taken different directions in life. It suggests a significant change or separation in their journeys.

Which is a more formal way to say "our paths diverged"?

A more formal alternative to "our paths diverged" might be "our roads separated" or "we followed different trajectories". These phrases add a level of sophistication while conveying the same meaning.

Can "our paths diverged" be used to describe a business relationship?

Yes, "our paths diverged" can be used to describe the end of a business relationship or partnership. It suggests that the parties involved decided to pursue different business goals or strategies, leading to a separation such as "our careers evolved differently".

What are some less formal alternatives to "our paths diverged"?

Less formal alternatives to "our paths diverged" include "we parted ways" or "we went our separate ways". These phrases are more casual and suitable for everyday conversation.