pathway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pathway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a route, course, or method of achieving something, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The new educational program provides a clear pathway for students to achieve their career goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a good deal – a deal that meets our core objectives, including strict limitations on Iran's program and cutting off every pathway that Iran could take to develop a nuclear weapon".

The Guardian

Pietersen's improbable hopes of reviving an impressive Test career which has brought him 23 hundreds were encouraged this month when the new England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves hinted that impressive first-class performances with a county could provide him with the pathway he needs.

The Guardian - Sport

We are increasing the services we provide to make the pathway through the department more streamlined.

The Guardian

He said as recently as last week that he would support a pathway to citizenship only in tandem with stricter immigration enforcement measures.

The Guardian

Some research indicates that if the mesolimbic pathway is frequently over-stimulated by sleep deprivation, there could be permanent brain damage.

The Guardian

So, an excellent speech, a personal speech, one that sets out a clear pathway to the next government and why Nick Clegg wants to take us there.

The Guardian - Opinion

The liver breaks down paracetamol, but if the usual pathway is overloaded, another pathway takes over that produces a toxic substance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now we are home, I know every village and pathway".

The Guardian

The findings, reported in the journal Stem Cell Reports, indicated that defective GRN altered the Wnt signalling pathway, which plays an important role in neuronal development.

The Guardian

Reading was the pathway, the abolitionist Frederick Douglass wrote, from slavery to freedom.

The Guardian - Tech

This, the report said, was "consistent with a global pathway heading to temperature rises of 3.5 - 4C".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pathway" in a metaphorical sense, ensure the context clearly indicates the steps or stages involved in the process being described.

Common error

Do not use "pathway" as a generic synonym for "way" without specifying the direction or sequence of steps involved. Be precise about what the "pathway" leads to and how it functions.

Linguistic Context

The noun "pathway" functions primarily to denote a route, course, or method of achieving something. Ludwig examples show it used both literally, referring to physical paths, and metaphorically, representing strategies or processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The noun "pathway" is a versatile term denoting a route, course, or method, as affirmed by Ludwig's analysis. It's deemed grammatically correct and enjoys very common usage, primarily in News & Media, Scientific, and Formal & Business contexts. The term functions to convey direction or progression, maintains a neutral register, and is supported by authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase. When incorporating "pathway" into your writing, ensure clarity and specificity, steering clear of vague applications. Consider alternatives like "route", "course of action", or "approach" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

route

Focuses on the specific course or direction taken.

course of action

Emphasizes a planned series of actions taken to achieve a goal.

approach

Suggests a method or way of dealing with a situation or problem.

avenue

Implies a way of making progress toward something.

method

Highlights a systematic procedure or technique.

means

Focuses on the resources or actions used to achieve an end.

process

Emphasizes a series of actions or steps taken to achieve a result.

channel

Suggests a route through which something can pass or be directed.

road

Implies a course or direction that leads to a specific outcome.

access

Highlights the ability or opportunity to reach or use something.

FAQs

How can I use "pathway" in a sentence?

You can use "pathway" to describe a route or course, either literally or figuratively. For example, "The company provides a clear "pathway to success" for its employees" or "The hiking "pathway is well-maintained"".

What are some alternatives to the word "pathway"?

Alternatives to "pathway" include "route", "course", "approach", "avenue", or "method", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "pathway" in a scientific context?

Yes, "pathway" is commonly used in scientific contexts, particularly in biology and biochemistry, to describe a sequence of biochemical reactions or a route taken by a substance in a biological system. For instance, the term metabolic "pathway is often used".

What is the difference between a "pathway" and a "road"?

While both "pathway" and "road" can refer to a route, "pathway" often implies a more specific or defined route, sometimes metaphorical, whereas "road" is typically a physical route for travel. A "pathway" can be a "road", but a "road" isn't always a "pathway" in the metaphorical sense.