was a deviation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was a deviation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a departure from a standard, norm, or expected behavior in various contexts, such as scientific reports, analyses, or discussions. Example: "The results of the experiment indicated that the observed outcome was a deviation from the predicted results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

When I was studying, anything that wasn't an oil painting was a deviation.

The New York Times

When he attacked Maeve and her daughter, it was a deviation from any pattern; the senselessness comes not from the violence but from the incident's randomness, its isolation from an established story line.

The New Yorker

If there was a deviation from the list, can I force the building to grant me a spot and to reimburse me for what I have had to pay to park in a neighborhood lot for the period of time that I should have had a spot?... Michael Herman, Manhattan.

The New York Times

If there was a deviation from the median tone of grim-faced backslapping, it was perhaps inevitable that it came from Benny Feilhaber, who's really begun to find his feet in these playoffs as a creative foil for this Kansas City side, without losing that particular edginess that seems to mark him out, for better or worse, in most sides he's played in.

The Guardian - Sport

But it was a deviation, a breaking point where like ELO, the Eagles, all that big, heavy production, then all of a sudden there's this raw, almost bluesy music," says Samiof, who travelled from his home in Costa Rica to Los Angeles for the release of the new book, Slash: A Punk Magazine From Los Angeles 1977-80, toeNew York York for the Printed Matter NY Art Book Fair last weekend.

The Guardian - Music

Indeed, it was a deviation from the conventional doping mechanisms in which Al is thought to substitute Zn atoms.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Everything is a deviation.

The New Yorker

It's not as if there is a deviation and you try to explain it.

The New Yorker

Assassin's Creed IV's Kenway is a deviation.

The New York Times - Arts

Since it is a deviation from the norm, the extra-wide or extra-long photograph has a built-in attraction.

The New York Times - Arts

But Robert W. Mann Jr., an airline analyst based in Port Washington, N.Y., emphasized that such a performance would be a deviation from the norm.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was a deviation", ensure it's clear what the standard or expected behavior is, so the deviation is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "was a deviation" without clearly establishing what norm or expectation is being deviated from. This can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was a deviation" functions as a predicate nominative, linking a subject to a noun phrase that renames or describes it. This identifies something as differing from a norm, standard, or expected course. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

45%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was a deviation" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate a departure from a standard or expected norm. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and usability across various writing styles. While not exceedingly common, it finds frequent application in both scientific and journalistic contexts, marking its relevance in analytical and descriptive writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that the reference point—the standard from which the deviation occurs—is clearly established to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

represented a departure

Emphasizes the act of moving away from something.

constituted a divergence

Highlights the point at which something begins to differ.

marked a turning point

Focuses on the significance of the change.

indicated a variation

Suggests a slight change or difference.

showed an anomaly

Highlights an unusual or unexpected occurrence.

presented an irregularity

Draws attention to something not conforming to rules or patterns.

offered a contrast

Emphasizes the difference when compared to something else.

introduced an alteration

Focuses on the act of making something different.

resulted in a modification

Highlights the outcome of a change.

developed into a discrepancy

Focuses on the lack of compatibility or similarity.

FAQs

How can I use "was a deviation" in a sentence?

Use "was a deviation" to indicate that something differed from a standard, norm, or expected pattern. For example, "The unexpected test result "was a deviation" from the established trend".

What are some alternatives to saying "was a deviation"?

You can use phrases like "represented a departure", "constituted a divergence", or "marked a turning point" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "was a deviation" and "was an exception"?

"Was a deviation" implies a departure from a general pattern or trend, while "was an exception" suggests something that doesn't follow a specific rule or guideline.

Is it formal to use the phrase "was a deviation"?

The phrase "was a deviation" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's more commonly found in analytical or descriptive writing than in casual conversation.