roundabout path

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "roundabout path" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a route that is indirect or complicated. For example, "I took a roundabout path to the store, but eventually I arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

So it's been sort of a long and roundabout path.

Princeton University

The fact that it took a roundabout path doesn't matter.

University of California, Berkeley

It's taken a long, roundabout path for him to arrive here.

The New York Times - Arts

I do not know Anna Pickard personally, but I admire her roundabout path to financial success.

University of California, Berkeley

These together drove him inexorably, and by a roundabout path, to the Greek East.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The tenor saxophonist ELLERY ESKELIN took a roundabout path to the Hammond B-3 organ trio, though he didn't have to travel far to find it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The US has lifted sanctions "on paper", he said, "but they are using roundabout paths to prevent the Islamic Republic from achieving its targets".

The Guardian

Sharks that could smell soon figured out the right direction, but those with plugged nostrils took more roundabout paths and didn't make it as far home before their transmitters fell off, the researchers reported today in PLOS ONE.

Science Magazine

I would choose different, roundabout paths to my classes, just to avoid where I knew you'd be.

Huffington Post

The two heavyweights will have to take roundabout paths from opposite ends of the starting gate to lock up in the world's richest horse race.

Los Angeles Times

That initiated his roundabout career path: Kansas City to New Orleans to Carolina to Calgary to Winnipeg to Dallas to Las Vegas to, finally, the Jets — and that omits places like Tennessee and Houston and Pittsburgh, where he tried out.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "roundabout path" to describe not just physical routes, but also career paths, problem-solving approaches, or even arguments that don't proceed in a straight line.

Common error

Avoid using "roundabout path" when you simply mean a difficult or challenging path. "Roundabout" specifically implies a lack of directness, not necessarily an increase in difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "roundabout path" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a route or method that is indirect or not straightforward, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples and analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "roundabout path" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes an indirect or circuitous route, whether literal or figurative. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for use in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts, the phrase serves to communicate that a destination or goal was achieved via a less conventional or efficient method. While synonyms like "circuitous route" and "indirect route" exist, it's crucial to use "roundabout path" when the indirectness is the key element, rather than mere difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

circuitous route

Emphasizes the winding and indirect nature of the path.

indirect route

Highlights the lack of a straight or direct path.

deviating course

Focuses on the departure from a planned or expected route.

meandering way

Suggests a path that wanders without a clear direction.

tortuous route

Implies a path that is complex, difficult, and possibly painful.

convoluted path

Stresses the intricacy and complexity of the route.

winding road

Used for an actual, physical path, where the road isn't straight.

byzantine process

Emphasizes the overly complicated and bureaucratic nature of a process.

long way around

Suggests a longer, less efficient path taken to reach a destination.

complex trajectory

Describes a complicated and potentially unpredictable path.

FAQs

How can I use "roundabout path" in a sentence?

You can use "roundabout path" to describe an indirect route, like "He took a "roundabout path" to success". It can also describe a physical route, like "The children took an hour and a half "roundabout path" to school to avoid the settlers".

What's a synonym for "roundabout path"?

Some synonyms for "roundabout path" include "circuitous route", "indirect route", or "meandering way".

Is it correct to say "a roundabout path to success"?

Yes, it is correct. "Roundabout path" is often used to describe how someone achieved success through an indirect or unconventional route.

When is it appropriate to use "roundabout path" instead of "difficult path"?

"Roundabout path" is best used when the route is indirect, while "difficult path" refers to the level of hardship experienced along the way. The two aren't necessarily interchangeable, though a "roundabout path" can also be a difficult one.