veered off course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "veered off course" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to describe something or someone deviating from their intended path or direction. Example: The pilot realized they had veered off course due to strong winds and quickly corrected their course.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Mosher also said the vessel veered off course after hitting an unmarked sandbar.

The New York Times

The rocket veered off course after launch, so the North Koreans obviously have some kinks to work out.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Obama did not speak out forcefully enough when Mr. Morsi himself veered off course by pushing through a deeply polarizing constitution asserting near-dictatorial powers.

The New York Times

Accounts from survivors and witnesses raised questions about whether the ship had veered off course and suggested that the crew was ill-prepared for an emergency.

The New York Times

The experimental rocket, made by Alliant Techsystems, had veered off course and was destroyed at an altitude of 11,000 to 12,000 feet.

The New York Times

By the time he was 15, however, Carter veered off course, a truant whose grades made him ineligible to play sports.

The New York Times - Sports

The rocket's main computer, not programmed to understand the error message the fourth mistake concluded that the rocket had veered off course, and swung the engine nozzles to their limits to try to correct it.

The Economist

I had always planned to become a mental health counselor, but I veered off course years ago and am interning in the field for the first time at age 59.

The New York Times

One American military official said satellite data unmistakably showed that a missile had veered off course and flown to the limit of its range before unleashing a fusillade of shrapnel-like steel balls at the jet.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The track drew criticism after a high-profile death of a horse on July 31 , 2010 when Private Mambo veered off-course and crashed into the winner's circle, dying on impact.

The New York Times - Sports

The plane was shot when it veered off-course and strayed into Soviet territory.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where someone's actions or decisions have led them away from their intended goals, use "veered off course" to highlight the deviation.

Common error

Avoid using "veered off course" when a sudden, deliberate change of direction is more appropriate. Phrases like "swerved" or "diverted" might be more accurate in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "veered off course" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the action of deviating from a set path or plan, either literally or figuratively, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

30%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "veered off course" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a deviation from an intended path or plan. According to Ludwig, it is generally applicable across various contexts, most commonly in news and media. When writing, ensure that the context aligns with the nuance of unintentional or gradual deviation, and consider alternatives like "gone astray" or "strayed from the course" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deviated from the path

Emphasizes a departure from a planned route or expected behavior.

strayed from the course

Highlights a gradual drifting away from the intended direction.

gone astray

Implies a loss of direction or purpose, often with negative consequences.

gotten off track

Suggests a temporary deviation that can be corrected.

wandered off course

Implies a less deliberate deviation, suggesting a lack of focus.

taken a detour

Emphasizes a temporary change in route, often for a specific reason.

diverged from the plan

Focuses on a departure from a pre-arranged strategy or intention.

swerved from the path

Suggests a sudden and sharp change in direction, possibly to avoid an obstacle.

digressed from the topic

Refers to a temporary departure from the main subject in a conversation or writing.

departed from the original plan

Highlights a formal abandonment of an initial strategy.

FAQs

How can I use "veered off course" in a sentence?

You can use "veered off course" to describe a literal or figurative deviation from an intended path. For example, "The ship "veered off course" due to the storm", or "The project "veered off course" when the budget was cut".

What can I say instead of "veered off course"?

You can use alternatives like "gone astray", "strayed from the course", or "gotten off track" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "veered off the course" instead of "veered off course"?

While grammatically understandable, "veered off course" is the more common and idiomatic expression. Using "the" implies a specific, previously defined course, which may not always be the case.

What's the difference between ""veered off course"" and "deviated from the plan"?

"Veered off course" often implies an accidental or unintentional change in direction, while "deviated from the plan" suggests a more deliberate, though not necessarily negative, departure from an agreed-upon plan.