paths to follow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paths to follow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe various options or directions one can take in a particular situation or journey. Example: "In life, there are many paths to follow, each leading to different experiences and opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

There were no roads or signs, no paths to follow.

The New Yorker

We have plenty of reasonable paths to follow.

The New York Times - Health

Lazarus had all sorts of enticing paths to follow, other than the tomb.

The Guardian - Music

With global travel and multiethnic cities, women — and designers — can find many sartorial paths to follow.

The New York Times

"I always tell younger singers, 'Give yourself permission to walk away.' There are so many other paths to follow.

The New Yorker

As a group, and in concert with Darpa, we evaluated our progress and decided which paths to follow.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"People say she's following in my footsteps, but she's got her own path to follow".

BBC

But most people think that's the path to follow.

The New York Times

Some may see in this a path to follow.

The Economist

But it is a dangerous path to follow.

The Economist

In the end she must choose a path to follow.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing career choices or life decisions, use "paths to follow" to convey a sense of exploration and individual agency. For example: "Meeting with a career advisor can help you discover the various "paths to follow" that align with your interests and skills."

Common error

Avoid using "paths to follow" as a passive or predetermined course. The phrase implies choice and agency. Instead of saying "He was destined to follow this path", consider "He chose this "path to follow" based on his ambitions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paths to follow" functions primarily as a noun phrase. As stated by Ludwig AI, it refers to options or directions one can take, representing a range of possibilities or strategies for achieving a goal. It typically appears as the object of a verb or preposition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "paths to follow" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that signifies various options or directions one can take. Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable in many English contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, it conveys a sense of exploration and choice. While versatile, it is important to avoid using it in a passive sense, as it implies agency and decision-making. Alternative phrases include "courses of action", "options to pursue", and "strategies to adopt", each offering subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

courses of action

Emphasizes a set of planned activities or steps undertaken to achieve a specific goal.

options to pursue

Highlights the availability of different choices and the act of actively selecting and engaging with them.

strategies to adopt

Focuses on deliberate plans or methods designed to achieve a long-term aim.

avenues to explore

Suggests a range of possibilities that require investigation and discovery.

routes to take

Implies a specific course or direction chosen from multiple possibilities.

ways to proceed

Highlights the manner or method in which progress is made towards a particular objective.

directions to head

Emphasizes the general sense of movement or orientation towards a specific location or goal.

lines of approach

Refers to specific methods or strategies used to tackle a problem or situation.

plans to implement

Focuses on the practical application of a set of actions or steps.

tactics to employ

Highlights the strategic use of specific actions to gain an advantage or achieve a desired outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "paths to follow" in a sentence about career planning?

You can use "paths to follow" to describe different career options or strategies. For example: "The careers fair presented students with various "career paths" and helped them identify "paths to follow" based on their interests."

What are some alternatives to saying "paths to follow" in an academic context?

In academic writing, you can replace "paths to follow" with more formal alternatives such as "courses of action", "strategies to adopt", or "avenues to explore" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "path to follow" instead of "paths to follow"?

Yes, both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Path to follow" refers to a single route or direction, while "paths to follow" implies multiple options or choices.

What's the difference between "paths to follow" and "steps to take"?

"Steps to take" refers to specific actions or measures, whereas "paths to follow" describes broader directions or strategies. "Steps to take" are the individual actions you perform on any of the "paths to follow".