provided diversion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provided diversion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that offers entertainment or distraction from a particular situation or task. Example: "The movie provided diversion from the stress of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She provided diversion.

The New York Times - Magazine

Doubles from £300 Quick getaways around the Riviera provided diversion in mid-1924, when Fitzgerald was writing The Great Gatsby while living in St Raphaël.

The Guardian - Travel

Susan McCauley provided diversion during breakfast by waging a determined but hopeless effort to replenish her bird feeders while containing a ferocious ginger cat beneath.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The privacy of cars enhances their charm, but mostly the Tripoli highways, busy through the night, provide diversion for citizens desperate for entertainment or novelty.

The New Yorker

Mr. Franklin probably has an idea that the audience is close to being ahead of "Out of Time," which may be why he changes the editing rhythms to provide diversion.

The New York Times

Given its lighthearted thrust, "The Revenge Tour," which is running through Sunday, may provide diversion, but it is best savored not for its jokes but for Mr. Toibin's gallery of artful sketches of the human comedy.

The New York Times

Even on the loneliest stretches of the Interstates, smartphones and tablet apps provide diversions and lend a helping hand.

The New York Times

Baseball has also provided a diversion from postelection depression for political talking head Keith Olbermann, who is now writing for MLB.com.

The New York Times

No matter how the vote goes, the early rounds of this controversy have already provided a diversion for a town that's been needing one for months.

The New York Times

In the early hours of October 18, while the Somali Army provided a diversion, the GSG 9 team broke into the plane.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Is there anyone, faced with the prospect of another year and a half of focus-group-tested politicking, who wasn't secretly (or not so secretly) a bit relieved that Trump entered the fray and provided a diversion?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "provided diversion" when you want to emphasize that something actively offered a source of amusement or distraction from something serious or unpleasant. Consider the context to decide if a more specific word like "entertainment", "respite", or "amusement" would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "provided diversion" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "offered a respite" or "supplied amusement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provided diversion" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating an action of supplying something that distracts or entertains. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provided diversion" is a grammatically correct phrase that describes the act of offering entertainment or distraction. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is acceptable and usable in written English. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts and maintains a neutral tone. When using this phrase, consider whether more specific terms like "offered respite" or "supplied amusement" might be more appropriate for your intended meaning. The provided usage tips guide you to employ "provided diversion" effectively and to avoid potential pitfalls in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offered distraction

Replaces "provided" with "offered", a more general synonym for giving something.

gave entertainment

Substitutes "diversion" with "entertainment", focusing on the amusement aspect.

created a distraction

Shifts the focus to the act of creating the diversion.

supplied amusement

Uses a more formal tone by using "supplied" and "amusement".

furnished entertainment

Similar to "supplied amusement" but with slightly different word choice, conveying elegance.

presented a distraction

Emphasizes the act of presenting or offering the distraction.

offered a respite

Focuses on the aspect of providing a break or relief.

yielded relief

Replaces the active "provided" with the more passive "yielded", emphasizing the outcome.

delivered a distraction

Highlights the act of delivering or bringing about the diversion.

contributed to entertainment

Shows a partial influence in the process to distract.

FAQs

How can I use "provided diversion" in a sentence?

You can use "provided diversion" to describe something that offered a distraction or entertainment. For instance, "The movie "provided diversion" from the stress of the week".

What can I say instead of "provided diversion"?

You can use alternatives like "offered distraction", "gave entertainment", or "created a distraction" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "provided diversion" formal or informal?

"Provided diversion" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in a variety of contexts, although it may be less common in very formal or academic writing. Depending on the context, you may prefer other alternatives as we saw previously.

What's the difference between "provided diversion" and "offered respite"?

"Provided diversion" generally implies entertainment or amusement, whereas "offered respite" suggests a break or relief from something challenging. The best choice depends on the specific context and the intended meaning.