to deviate from

USAGE SUMMARY

"to deviate from" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing a departure from a standard, norm, or expected behavior. Example: "The project began to deviate from its original timeline." Alternative expressions include "to stray from," "to diverge from," and "to depart from."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I don't like to deviate from my schedule," she said.

The New York Times

The current generation continues to deviate from the rule.

The Guardian - Tech

But don't be afraid to deviate from your chosen path.

The New York Times

But he refused to deviate from his course.

The Guardian - Books

"Every frame tells the model how to deviate from the neutral pose," Dr. Petajan said.

The New York Times - Tech

How do you decide when to stick to the real and when to deviate from it?

The New Yorker

Teachers, especially in the early grades, are not to deviate from the program.

The New York Times

If a contractor wishes to deviate from these, it is best to discuss the matter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And they will certainly not be allowed to deviate from the calamitous austerity imposed upon them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Early on, I decided to deviate from what might be expected of me.

The Guardian

"We're not going to deviate from the vision that brought us this far," Mr. Botelho said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to deviate from" when you want to emphasize a departure from an established norm, plan, or expectation. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "to deviate from" in very informal conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "to stray from" or "to differ from" in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to deviate from" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase. It describes the act of moving away from a set course, plan, or standard, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to deviate from" is a versatile infinitive phrase used to describe a departure from a norm, plan, or expectation. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedia sources. While appropriate for formal writing, it can be replaced with simpler alternatives like "to vary from" or "to differ from" in informal settings. This phrase is a valuable tool for expressing nuanced changes and divergences in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to depart from

Indicates a formal or deliberate act of moving away from something.

to diverge from

Suggests a more significant departure, often implying movement in a different direction.

to vary from

Implies a slight difference or change from a norm or standard.

to stray from

Implies wandering or unintentionally moving away from a set path or course.

to break away from

Indicates a strong desire to move away from restrictions or set expectations.

to differ from

Highlights the ways in which two or more things are not the same.

to shift from

Suggests a change in position, direction or focus.

to redirect from

Suggests changing the course or direction of something.

to avert from

Signifies turning away or preventing something from happening, like harm or danger.

to deflect from

Implies turning something aside, like criticism or attention.

FAQs

How can I use "to deviate from" in a sentence?

Use "to deviate from" to indicate a departure from an established norm, plan, or standard. For example, "The company decided "to deviate from" its original marketing strategy".

What are some alternatives to "to deviate from"?

You can use alternatives like "to depart from", "to diverge from", or "to stray from" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "to deviate from" in academic writing?

Yes, "to deviate from" is perfectly appropriate for academic writing. It conveys a sense of formal and precise language, suitable for scholarly contexts.

What's the difference between "to depart from" and "to deviate from"?

"To depart from" often implies a more significant or intentional departure, while "to deviate from" suggests a less dramatic or even unintentional divergence. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.