veered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "veered" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a change in direction or a shift in opinion or focus. Example: "The conversation veered off topic when someone mentioned their vacation plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nigel Farage had been expected to grab between 75 and 100 extra councillors at best, but added nearly 130. Labour MPs and activists, who had tried largely to ignore Ukip's impending arrival as the fourth party in British politics, veered between admitting that it had been hit and that Ed Miliband had to do better, and trying to dismiss Ukip as still so small as to be largely irrelevant.

The Guardian

"It is a scar which will remain with us for the rest of our lives," said the striker, Fred, whose every touch had been subjected to a barrage of abuse as the contest veered away from Brazil after a poor personal tournament.

The Guardian - Sport

Whereas the Tea Party has worked relentlessly since the financial crash to recast the Republican party as a perceived challenger to Wall Street, Democrats such as Obama and his potential successor Hillary Clinton rely heavily on financial donors and have veered away from confrontation.

The Guardian

Roland Ratzenberger, a Formula One novice, was killed outright when his Simtek veered off the track and smashed into a concrete wall at 180mph.

The Guardian - Sport

We had been walking south along the beach for an hour or two when suddenly Bobo veered off the sand and up a steep, rocky path.

The Guardian - Travel

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Captain Ronnie Hampton said the tractor-trailer crossed the median and veered into the southbound lanes, striking the bus.

The Guardian

She has been one half, with CocoRosie's Sierra Casady, of a duo called Metallic Falcons whose stunning 2006 album Desert Doughnuts was described as everything from soft metal to prog folk but which really veered more between freak folk and noir atmospherica.

The Guardian - Music

No Palestinian state… From the moment he decided to hold elections, Netanyahu veered rightwards," he added.

The Guardian

At their party conference last month in Turin, the Democrats of the Left rubbished her proposals, especially those that would deregulate the market.There is a sense, moreover, that the ex-Communists, who had veered fast towards the middle ground a few years ago, may be pulling back towards the marshes of the old left.

The Economist

China says that two Chinese naval jets intercepted it about 65 miles (104 km) south-east of Hainan, and that the American aircraft then veered suddenly, colliding with one of the Chinese jets, which crashed, while the Americans managed a forced landing without loss of life.

The Economist

Blame that, in part, on a nominating contest that repeatedly veered into irrelevancies.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "veered" to describe a noticeable change in direction, whether literal (like a vehicle) or figurative (like a conversation). It implies a deliberate or reactive change in course.

Common error

Avoid using "veered" to describe gradual changes. This term implies a relatively sudden shift, not a slow and continuous movement. Instead, consider "drifted" or "gradually changed" for describing evolving shifts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "veered" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "veer". It describes an action that has already happened, indicating a change in direction or course. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "veered" functions as the past tense of the verb "veer", indicating a change in direction or course. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in contexts related to News & Media and Formal & Business. Its implies a relatively sudden shift. While similar to words like "swerved" or "deviated", "veered" occupies a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. When using "veered", ensure the change in direction is relatively sudden, and consider alternative wording for gradual changes, such as "drifted". Ultimately, its widespread usage across multiple authoritative sources solidifies its reliability and adaptability in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swerved

Implies a sudden, sharp turn, often to avoid an obstacle.

deviated

Suggests a departure from a standard or expected course.

diverged

Indicates a branching off or moving in a different direction.

drifted

Implies a gradual and unintentional change in direction.

shifted

Indicates a change in position, direction, or focus.

strayed

Suggests wandering or deviating from a path or topic.

turned aside

A more formal way of saying to change direction or topic.

took a detour

Implies a temporary departure from the main route.

departed from

Formally indicates leaving or moving away from something.

moved away from

Indicates a shift in focus or position from a previous point.

FAQs

How can I use "veered" in a sentence?

Use "veered" to describe a change in direction, either literally or figuratively. For example, "The car "swerved" sharply to avoid the obstacle" or "The conversation "shifted course" unexpectedly during the meeting".

What's the difference between "veered" and "swerved"?

"Veered" implies a change in direction, while "swerved" suggests a sudden, often sharp, change in direction, frequently to avoid something. The term "swerved" usually implies an abrupt movement.

What are some synonyms for "veered"?

Some synonyms for "veered" include "swerved", "deviated", "diverged", and "shifted". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "veered" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "veered" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you need to convey a change in direction or focus that is more abrupt than a simple "turned" or "changed". However, context matters, and for very formal contexts, "departed from" might be preferred.