trace the route

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trace the route" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to follow or map out a specific path or course. Example: We spent hours trying to trace the route on the old map to find our way out of the forest.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It would also make it possible for governments to trace the route of misuse.

The Guardian

The maps serve merely as illustrations, used to trace the route of a particular expedition or campaign.

The New York Times - Books

He might also have wished to trace the route of the battle using the lighted three-dimensional model there, though that would have been impossible.

The New York Times

The police were interrogating suspects in three countries today in an attempt to trace the route of a people-smuggling operation that led to the deaths of 58 Chinese migrants in a doomed bid to reach Britain.

The New York Times

FOR the traveler with limited time, the best way to explore Calcutta is roughly to trace the route of the Hooghly, meandering on and off the main thoroughfares by foot, tram and subway, known here as the Metro.

The New York Times - Travel

The results back up previous work by the Worobey and others, who have spent years using a variety of approaches to trace the route of the HIV/Aids epidemic and emphasises that the virus travelled from the Caribbean to the US, not vice versa.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Värmland's landscape is marked with hiking trails, many of which trace the routes of the old Finnish settlers.

The Guardian - Travel

The mountain's flanks are pockmarked with dozens more sinkholes, which trace the routes of depleted veins and can widen with little warning.

The Guardian

Our vehicles are packed with water and spare gas (only 78 cents a gallon here, cheaper than bottled water), ready to trace the routes blazed by last century's leathery rusticators Wilfred Thesiger and Bertram Thomas.

Huffington Post

While this overview has attempted to trace the routes taken and the lessons learned for stem cell banking by comparison with biobanking generally, challenges remain for both.

Genome Medicine

(The endpapers tracing the route home are from a 1907 Baedeker guide).

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about historical events or investigations, use "trace the route" to vividly describe the process of uncovering past movements or pathways.

Common error

Avoid using "trace the route" when simply giving someone directions. This phrase is best suited for scenarios involving investigation, reconstruction, or historical analysis, not for everyday navigation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "trace the route" is as a verb phrase, where "trace" is the transitive verb and "the route" is its direct object. Ludwig AI affirms its correct grammatical standing and readily provides usage examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trace the route" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes the act of following or reconstructing a path. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's frequently employed in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. The phrase serves to communicate investigation or historical analysis. When crafting your content, it's advisable to use this term to create a sense of exploration and method rather than offering general navigation instructions. Related phrases include "follow the path" and "map the journey".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

follow the path

Replaces "trace" with "follow", emphasizing the action of going along the route.

map the journey

Uses "map" to highlight the process of creating a visual representation of the route.

identify the course

Focuses on recognizing and specifying the route, rather than physically following it.

determine the trajectory

Emphasizes the direction and path of something moving.

reconstruct the itinerary

Highlights piecing together a route from available information.

ascertain the way

Focuses on discovering or finding out the route.

outline the voyage

Emphasizes the planning or describing of a journey.

detect the trail

Highlights finding and following a path that may not be obvious.

uncover the passage

Focuses on revealing a hidden or unknown route.

track the progression

Emphasizes following the advancement or development along a route.

FAQs

How can I use "trace the route" in a sentence?

You can use "trace the route" to describe the process of following or mapping out a path, such as "The historians tried to trace the route of the Oregon Trail".

What's a good alternative to "trace the route"?

Alternatives include "follow the path", "map the journey", or "identify the course", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "tracing the route"?

Yes, "tracing the route" is the gerund or present participle form and can be used in continuous tenses, such as "They are tracing the route of the ancient Silk Road".

What's the difference between "trace the route" and "find the route"?

"Trace the route" implies a process of following or reconstructing a known path, while "find the route" simply means to discover a path that may or may not be known.