trace a path

USAGE SUMMARY

'trace a path' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone (or something) physically (or figuratively) following a certain path or route. For example, "The river traced a path through the old forest".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Indeed, anyone trying to trace a path through the murky terrain of recent history will stumble over another embarrassing possibility.

The New York Times

Mourners leave flowers, toys, food and drink, light a candle and pray, or trace a path through shattered classrooms.

The Guardian

Balls struck from the right side of the surface above the hole trace a path almost at a right angle.

The New York Times - Sports

His subsequent discussions trace a path through the work of Christopher Alexander, Jane Jacobs, Gilles Deleuze, and others.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Its heavy, illuminated orb will trace a path right across the sky from horizon to horizon during the twilight and nighttime hours.

The Guardian

To find our way through the Oxford Circus Labyrinth, we would have to stop and trace a path with our fingers.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

A silver cable, galvanized steel and a quarter-inch in diameter, traced a path on the cliff above.

The New York Times - Travel

Ms. Solnit joyfully trespasses across disciplines and genres, tracing a path through philosophy, paleontology, politics, religion and literary criticism.

The New York Times - Books

Wolf tracks traced a path along the ice dunes, and a bald eagle landed on one of the bergs.

The New York Times - Travel

The four works he conducted on Friday traced a path from his avant-garde roots to a neo-Romantic aesthetic.

The New York Times - Arts

East, the island's most difficult cycle route, La Mola, traces a path around stony cliff-edges 192m high.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trace a path" when you want to describe the act of following a course, either literally or figuratively, with an emphasis on the journey or process.

Common error

Avoid using "trace a path" to describe something that is stationary or doesn't involve movement. The phrase implies a journey or progression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trace a path" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of following a route or progression, either literally or figuratively. Ludwig confirms this is a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trace a path" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of following or outlining a course, whether physical or metaphorical. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts. The phrase appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific domains, indicating its broad applicability. While closely related to phrases like "follow a trail" and "chart a course", "trace a path" uniquely emphasizes the process of discovery along a route. Remember to use it to describe a journey or progression, not static locations, for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

follow a trail

Focuses more on the act of following an existing route.

mark a route

Emphasizes the action of creating a route rather than following it.

map a course

Implies planning or charting a specific direction.

find a way

Suggests overcoming obstacles to reach a destination.

discover a route

Highlights the finding of an existing, perhaps previously unknown, path.

detect a pattern

Shifts the focus to identifying patterns or sequences rather than physical paths.

uncover a trend

Relates more to identifying trends or developments over time.

outline a process

Focuses on defining or describing a sequence of steps in a process.

investigate a series

Suggests a more detailed examination of a sequence or set of events.

delve into a history

Conveys a deep exploration of a past narrative or historical events.

FAQs

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

You can use "trace a path" to describe physically following a route, like "The hiker traced a path through the forest", or metaphorically, like "The research traced a path from initial findings to conclusive results".

What does it mean to "trace a path"?

To "trace a path" means to follow a route or course, either literally or figuratively, often implying a process of discovery or investigation.

What can I say instead of "trace a path"?

You can use alternatives like "follow a trail", "map a course", or "discover a route" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "trace a path" and "chart a path"?

"Trace a path" implies following an existing route, while "chart a path" suggests creating or planning a new route.