take a detour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a detour" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase whenever someone needs to take an alternate route to avoid an obstacle, such as road construction or traffic. For example, "We had to take a detour because of the accident ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do you need to take a detour?

Harvard Business Review

I need to take a detour," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

They take a detour to view a painting by Antonella de Messina.

The New Yorker

But he did take a detour or two before making a career of his childhood passion.

Stanford University

We next take a detour from the world of bipolar transistors and enter the world of field-effect transistors.

Intuitive Analog Circuit Design

The volunteers also decided when the drivers should surrender and take a detour.

The New York Times - Travel

They are all working hard to convince visitors to take a detour.

The Guardian - Travel

But the marchers, thank God, would not take a detour on the road to freedom".

The New York Times

If you have time, take a detour to stunning Platja d'es Coll Baix beach.

The Guardian - Travel

Do you take a detour on the way home to hit an extra pokestop?

The Guardian - Tech

At the end of Copacabana, we take a detour to Forte de Copacabana (see The Big Attraction).

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take a detour" to describe a temporary deviation from a planned route or course of action, often to avoid an obstacle or explore an unexpected opportunity.

Common error

Avoid using "take a detour" when a more direct or appropriate phrase better conveys the intended meaning. Overusing it figuratively can dilute its impact. For example, instead of saying "We took a detour in our conversation", you could say "We digressed" or "We changed the subject".

Linguistic Context

"Take a detour" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It indicates a decision to diverge from a planned route, whether physically or metaphorically, and suggests a temporary change of direction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take a detour" is a versatile and common idiom used to describe a change of route, whether literal or figurative. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, from news and media to academia and everyday conversation. While predominantly neutral in formality, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "deviate" or "diverge" for formal settings. Understanding its proper use, as highlighted by Ludwig's examples, ensures clear and effective communication. Avoid overuse in figurative contexts and consider more direct alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a diversion

Focuses on creating a diversion rather than just changing route.

deviate from the path

Emphasizes straying from the intended or expected course.

stray from the course

Similar to deviating, but suggests a more accidental or unintentional change.

go off course

Suggests a change in direction, often in a navigational sense.

diverge from the plan

Implies a departure from a pre-set strategy or itinerary.

make an alternative route

Highlights choosing a different path to reach the same destination.

reroute

Concise term for changing the route, often due to unforeseen circumstances.

circumvent the obstacle

Focuses on avoiding an impediment by going around it.

go around

Simple and direct way of indicating avoidance of something.

make a workaround

Emphasizes finding a solution to bypass a problem or limitation.

FAQs

How can I use "take a detour" in a sentence?

You can use "take a detour" to describe a literal change of route, such as "We had to "make a diversion" due to road construction", or a figurative one, like "The presentation "diverged from the plan" when the speaker introduced a new topic".

What's a more formal alternative to "take a detour"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "deviate from the path" or "stray from the course", which offer a more sophisticated tone than the more colloquial "take a detour".

Is it correct to say "takes a detour" instead of "take a detour"?

Yes, the correct form depends on the subject. Use "take a detour" with plural subjects (e.g., "We take a detour") and "takes a detour" with singular third-person subjects (e.g., "He takes a detour").

When should I use "take a detour" versus "make a detour"?

Both "take a detour" and "make a detour" are acceptable, but "take a detour" is the more commonly used phrase. "Make a detour" is a less frequent alternative and may sound slightly less natural.