trail

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "trail" is perfectly fine to use in written English.
You can use the word to mean a literal path or route, as in "They followed the trail up the mountain". You can also use it to refer to a general course of events, as in "Her career has followed a successful trail".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Cappadocia, the thrill of hurtling along a trail on two wheels is amplified by its otherworldly landscape of rock pillars, known as "fairy chimneys", many reaching more than 40 metres high, as well as its cave houses and ancient Byzantine churches.

The Guardian - Travel

Often the first thing new recruits get from party HQ is an email begging for time and money On the campaigning trail I saw a few moments of charismatic evangelism and a lot of robotic data collection.

The Guardian - Opinion

Over the past 15 years, the creators of British cinema have resembled nothing so much as a bunch of frustrated alchemists; leaving a trail of failed potions and misconceived prototypes in their wake.

The Guardian - Film

People may well make all sorts of extravagant claims when they are trying to obtain funds for organisations, but the evidential trail would have to prove they had enough influence with those at the other end of the scale to actually deliver what they promised".

The Guardian

"Things have changed a bit since my time," she adds, raising her eyebrows at two women, one black, one white, who wear nothing but discreet jewels between their legs and red feather head-dresses which trail down their backs.

The Guardian - Travel

Read more: Guantánamo torturer led brutal Chicago regime of shackling and confession Bad lieutenant: American police brutality, exported from Chicago to Guantánamo Plus: How Chicago police condemned the innocent – a trail of coerced confessions Latest: Follow the Guardian's investigation into Chicago's Homan Square.

The Guardian

The Guardian followed the trail of migrant children from Sicily to Rome, where young Egyptian teenagers were found working for a few euros an hour at the train station and fruit and vegetable markets.

The Guardian

The evidence trail amounted to the easiest bust in the history of online piracy.

The Guardian - Books

The simplest way to escape the tourist trail and see the real Thailand is to stay in a homestay.

The Guardian - Travel

Obama is straight into it: Now that those of us on the campaign trail have had a chance to get a little sleep, it's time to get back to work.

The Guardian

[phone], geotoursbanios.com cand82 Siem Reap with Dani Jump, Cambodia American Dani Jump, who has lived in Asia for most of his life, is a popular guide who'll take you beyond the usual Angkor trail to see the abundant flora and fauna of the area.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing investigations or sequences of events, "trail" can effectively convey the idea of following a series of clues or actions to a conclusion.

Common error

Avoid confusing "trail", which denotes a path or sequence, with "trial", which refers to a legal proceeding or test. Using the wrong word can significantly alter the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The word "trail" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a path or route, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, such as "the hiking trail". It can also act as a verb, signifying the act of following or dragging something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

25%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "trail" is a versatile term commonly used as both a noun and a verb, signifying a path or the act of following, respectively. Ludwig confirms its correct grammatical standing and widespread usage. Predominantly found in contexts like News & Media, Travel, and Lifestyle, "trail" maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing styles. To enrich your writing, consider related phrases such as "pathway", "footpath", or "track" to add precision and variety. Remember to differentiate "trail" from "trial" to avoid confusion. The abundant examples provided by Ludwig showcases the word's adaptability and reinforces its value in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pathway

Emphasizes a route or way of passage, similar to the physical sense of "trail".

footpath

Specifically refers to a path for walking, closely aligned with the hiking sense of "trail".

track

Highlights the marks or signs left behind, akin to following a "trail".

spoor

Refers to the track or scent of an animal, similar to following a "trail" in hunting.

wake

Suggests something left behind as a consequence or result, relating to the figurative sense of "trail".

chain of events

Highlights a sequence of occurrences linked together, similar to a series of actions or decisions that form a "trail".

line of inquiry

Indicates a path or direction in an investigation, corresponding to following a lead or "trail".

train of thought

Refers to a connected series of thoughts, similar to following a mental "trail".

pursue

Focuses on the act of following or chasing, relating to the verb sense of "trail".

drag behind

Highlights the act of pulling something along the ground, similar to one of the verb senses of "trail".

FAQs

How can I use "trail" in a sentence?

You can use "trail" to refer to a physical path, as in "They hiked the mountain trail", or to a sequence of events, as in "The investigation followed a complex trail of evidence".

What are some synonyms for "trail" when referring to a path?

When referring to a path, you can use synonyms like "pathway", "footpath", or "track".

What's the difference between "trail" and "path"?

"Path" is a general term for a way or route, while "trail" often implies a more rough or less developed path, especially in natural environments. A "trail" is often unpaved and used for hiking or recreational activities.

Can "trail" be used as a verb?

Yes, "trail" can be used as a verb to mean to follow behind someone or something, or to drag something along the ground. For example, "The detective had to trail the suspect" or "She let her scarf trail behind her".