veer between

USAGE SUMMARY

"veer between" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to move or shift back and forth between two things or ideas. Example: The politician's stance on the issue seemed to veer between liberal and conservative, leaving many unsure of where he truly stood.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Labour's ideas veer between these two extremes.

The Economist

Her descriptions veer between plain, purple and businesslike.

The New York Times - Books

Mike Bartlett's plays veer between the intimate and the epic.

The Guardian

Now newscasts veer between Soviet-style stagnation and Glasnost 2.0.

The New York Times - Arts

The atmosphere, meanwhile, can veer between enthralling and bloodthirsty.

Independent

." Like love itself they veer between the heart-breakingly precise and the plain mushy.

The Guardian - Books

Mourtidou now finds herself struggling with sentiments that veer between disappointment and rage.

The Guardian

Still, I do veer between believing myself to be better and no better than my occupation.

The New York Times

PETER HESSLER: A diplomat once told me that they veer between arrogance and paranoia.

The New Yorker

The moods veer between states of meditative stillness and ecstatic exuberance.

The New York Times - Arts

They veer between large and small, abstract and sort of representational, and Romantic and Minimal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "veer between", ensure that the two elements being contrasted are clearly defined and relevant to the subject. This clarity enhances the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "veer between" when the options aren't distinct or are part of a continuum. For instance, instead of saying 'The color veered between light blue and blue', use 'varied in shade from light blue to blue'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "veer between" functions as a phrasal verb indicating a movement or shift between two different states, options, or qualities. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used in written English to describe such oscillations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "veer between" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe something that shifts or fluctuates between two distinct states or options. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it is frequently found in news and media contexts, denoting oscillation between different qualities or possibilities. While "veer between" is appropriate for a range of writing styles, it's important to ensure that the elements being contrasted are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "alternate between" or "oscillate between" may be suitable substitutes depending on the specific context. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread and accepted in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alternate between

Indicates a more regular or scheduled change between two options.

oscillate between

Suggests a rhythmic movement back and forth, often in a more literal sense.

fluctuate between

Implies irregular changes in levels or states, often less predictable.

waver between

Conveys a sense of indecision or hesitation between two choices.

swing between

Suggests a broad, sweeping change from one extreme to another.

shift between

Indicates a change in position, direction, or focus between two things.

tend towards

Highlights a inclination to go towards one thing.

yo-yo between

Emphasizes a rapid and repeated fluctuation, like a toy moving up and down.

seesaw between

Conveys a back and forth motion, like two sides of a seesaw. This alternative works mainly on an emotional context.

ricochet between

Implies a more forceful or abrupt change from one thing to another.

FAQs

How can I use "veer between" in a sentence?

"Veer between" is used to describe something that alternates or shifts from one thing to another. For example, "The movie's plot would "veer between" comedy and tragedy."

What can I say instead of "veer between"?

You can use alternatives like "alternate between", "oscillate between", or "fluctuate between" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "veer between" or "veers between"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "veer between" for plural subjects (e.g., "They veer between") and "veers between" for singular subjects (e.g., "He veers between").

What's the difference between "veer between" and "waver between"?

"Veer between" suggests a change or shift, while "waver between" implies indecision or hesitation.