took a detour

USAGE SUMMARY

"took a detour" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation in which someone chose to deviate from their expected path in order to explore another route. For example, "I had to drive to the store, so I took a detour to admire the countryside along the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Vanessa Lowe's nighttime show Nocturne took a detour into dreamland.

The Guardian

The driver took a detour through downtown Jersey City.

The New York Times

In 1983, while back in private practice, Mr. Foer's legal career took a detour.

The New York Times

(She also took a detour to Broadway, in a highly acclaimed turn in "The Color Purple").

The New York Times

Back on the road, I took a detour to the Hans Fallada house in nearby Carwitz.

The New York Times - Travel

After a particularly difficult work day, I took a detour to Leisure Village.

The New York Times

During that period, she took a detour as managing editor of Redbook.

The New York Times - Style

"We took a detour to Albany and that detour is over".

The New York Times

Once, sauntering along Wardour Street, I took a detour into Meard Street.

The Guardian - Music

On his way to New York yesterday, Arn Tellem took a detour.

The New York Times - Sports

While on the latter trip, he took a detour to sit in on Hurley's assault trial.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took a detour" when you want to emphasize a temporary deviation from a planned route or course of action. It suggests a brief, often unplanned, alteration of direction.

Common error

Avoid using "took a detour" when the deviation is permanent or leads to a complete abandonment of the original goal. "Detour" suggests a temporary rerouting, not a total "failure" or "derailment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took a detour" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a deliberate change in direction or course. It describes the action of temporarily deviating from a planned route, as evidenced by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took a detour" is a verb phrase used to describe a deliberate, often temporary, change in direction or plan. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in News & Media. When writing, remember that "detour" implies a temporary rerouting, not a permanent abandonment of the original goal. Consider alternatives like "deviated from the route" or "veered off course" to add nuance. Be sure you are intentional and not "went astray" which implies you were not trying to take an alternative path.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deviated from the route

Focuses on the act of straying from a planned course.

strayed from the path

Emphasizes wandering off course, often unexpectedly.

made a diversion

Highlights the creation of an alternate route or distraction.

veered off course

Implies a sudden or intentional change in direction.

diverged from the plan

Indicates a departure from a pre-established strategy or itinerary.

redirected the journey

Highlights the act of changing the direction of a trip.

wandered off the track

Suggests a gradual departure from a set course or objective.

made a side trip

Emphasizes a brief excursion from the main route.

went on a tangent

Suggests a shift to a completely different and often unrelated topic or activity.

altered the course

Implies a deliberate change in the direction or strategy being followed.

FAQs

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

"Took a detour" signifies a temporary deviation from a planned route or course. For instance, "On the way home, I "took a detour" to visit the new park" implies a short, intentional change of route.

What can I say instead of "took a detour"?

Alternatives include "deviated from the route", "made a diversion", or "veered off course", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "took a detour", or are there situations where it's unsuitable?

"Took a detour" is suitable for describing temporary changes in direction or plans. It is less appropriate if the change is permanent or unintentional, where terms like "lost" or "failed" might be more accurate.

What is the difference between "took a detour" and "went astray"?

"Took a detour" implies a deliberate, albeit temporary, change of course, while "went astray" suggests an unintentional deviation, often with negative connotations. For example: "I "took a detour" to see the street art" versus "The project went astray due to poor planning".