Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
paths intertwined
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
Over the next 23 years, the brothers' paths intertwined.
News & Media
It was noteworthy, then, when their paths intertwined this week during baseball's midsummer break.
News & Media
There was a time when the two paths intertwined more.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
The behavior of statically indeterminate structural systems under damage is nonlinear because the load paths intertwine each other, even if each component behaves linearly.
As the audience -- including Joanne's husband -- looked on, Joanne described her own path, intertwining the personal and professional.
News & Media
Both paths are intertwined, with mindfulness and our awareness of being interconnected in the world preparing us for the outer path of leading structural change in a collaborative way.
News & Media
The story of these women's career paths is intertwined with how white-collar crime evolved into a major practice area over the last 20 years.
News & Media
Still, their paths have intertwined more than once.
News & Media
In response to a question from Leroy Prophet, Wolf starts talking about all the people he's played with: the most legendary black bluesmen whose path had intertwined through Chicago and Chess Records.
News & Media
"Ready for you right now". In response to a question from Leroy Prophet, Wolf starts talking about all the people he's played with: the most legendary black bluesmen whose path had intertwined through Chicago and Chess Records.
News & Media
Meanwhile, Bieberesque brat Benjie Weiss Evan Birdd) finds his star-crossed path inevitably intertwined with that of Agatha despite the best efforts of his mother, Cristina Olivia Williamss), to preserve and exploit the precocious monster whom she and her charlatan husband have spawned.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Reserve this phrase for narratives that benefit from a poetic or literary tone, as it carries more emotional weight than simply saying 'they met'.
Common error
Do not use "paths intertwined" for simple, one-time interactions. For a brief meeting or a chance encounter, "paths crossed" is much more appropriate and avoids overstating the depth of the connection.
Source & Trust
95%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "paths intertwined" typically functions as a subject + intransitive verb construction or as a reduced relative clause. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often appears as the culmination of a narrative arc, describing how separate entities became linked. Ludwig AI indicates that this structure is grammatically standard and highly effective for summarizing complex shared histories.
Frequent in
News & Media
55%
Academia
25%
Science
15%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
3%
Social Media
1%
Formal & Business
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In conclusion, "paths intertwined" is a highly versatile and sophisticated phrase used across a wide spectrum of reliable sources. Whether describing the political alliance of the Podesta brothers or the complex behavior of structural load paths, the phrase successfully communicates a deep, shared journey. Ludwig AI highlights its reliability in both News & Media and Scientific contexts. Writers should favor this expression when they wish to imply a level of complexity and duration that simpler alternatives like ""paths crossed"" cannot capture. Its high source quality score and expert rating reflect its status as a staple of clear, evocative English writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
lives converged
Focuses on the point of meeting rather than the process of becoming tangled
destinies intertwined
Elevates the tone to suggest fate or predestination
journeys crossed
Suggests a more temporary or transient encounter
trajectories intersected
Uses a more analytical and mathematical metaphor
fates merged
Implies becoming a single entity rather than remaining distinct but linked
careers aligned
Specifically limits the context to professional development
roads met
A simpler, more grounded metaphorical expression
histories overlapped
Emphasizes shared space or time in the past
lives tangled
Suggests a more messy or complex involvement
paths ran parallel
Suggests similar experiences without actually meeting
FAQs
How to use "paths intertwined" in a sentence?
You can use it as a predicate or an absolute phrase. For example: "Over the next decade, their "paths intertwined" through various social circles".
What can I say instead of "paths intertwined"?
Depending on your context, you might use "lives converged", "destinies linked", or simply "trajectories met".
Is "paths intertwined" formal?
Yes, it is considered a neutral to formal phrase. It appears frequently in academic journals like "Science Magazine" and prestige news outlets like "The Economist".
What is the difference between "paths intertwined" and "paths crossed"?
While ""paths crossed"" suggests a momentary or accidental encounter, "paths intertwined" implies a more lasting and complex relationship where the two entities influence each other's direction.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
95%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested