would deviate from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would deviate from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a departure or divergence from a particular standard, expectation, or norm. Example: "The proposed plan would deviate from our original strategy, which could lead to unforeseen challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

She also noticed the routine, casual ways that the scientists would deviate from their protocols.

The New York Times - Science

But last Wednesday, he was disappointed to learn that he had been passed over for the job, over concerns that he would deviate from the script.

The New York Times

The Thursday game, Coughlin said, "would be the game we would deviate from how we've done things in the past" because of the compressed schedule.

The New York Times

Nothing in the background of Judge John E. Jones III, the judge presiding over Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, the first case to test the constitutionality of intelligent design in public schools, suggested he would deviate from this pattern.

The New Yorker

Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank, speaking after Mr. Summers, began by saying he would deviate from his printed remarks to respond to previous speakers who had been too pessimistic in their diagnosis of the situation.

The New York Times

More likely, since there is a broad consensus in Israeli society for kicking the can down the road with the Palestinians, Israelis could afford to vote on other issues, knowing that they would be at little risk of electing a government that would deviate from current policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Kate Mara, who plays Susan Storm/Invisible Woman, found herself at the centre of reports that the film would deviate extensively from its print origins.

The Guardian - Film

A device-centric mobile advertising world would deviate radically from the way the web's advertising networks operate today.

TechCrunch

We anticipated that plots situated on steeper slopes would deviate more from LiDAR-predicted values than those on flatter slopes due to variations in growth patterns, variations in canopy architecture and the increased difficulty of collecting geolocated field data in steep environments.

Carbon Balance and Management

Fans were warned that the new season of "GoT" would deviate heavily from George R.R. Martin's books with unexpected deaths and altered storylines -- and the premiere brought both of those things.

Huffington Post

Extensive earlier ecophysiological work describing negative effects of wind speed on plant growth in general (e.g., [73], [74], [27], [75], [23]), justified the a priori hypothesis that wind-protected plants would deviate positively from wind-exposed plants, in terms of biomass, height and diameter.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would deviate from" to clearly indicate a planned or expected divergence from a norm, standard, or course of action. This helps in setting expectations and explaining potential changes.

Common error

Avoid using "would deviate from" when a stronger term like "contradict" or "invalidate" is more appropriate. Ensure the chosen phrase accurately reflects the degree to which something departs from the original.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would deviate from" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a conditional or potential departure from a previously established norm, plan, or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable. The phrase often introduces an element of uncertainty or contingency.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would deviate from" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a potential departure from an established standard or plan. As Ludwig AI states, it's reliable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, including science, news, and formal communications, highlighting its adaptability. While alternatives like "diverge from" or "depart from" exist, choosing "would deviate from" precisely conveys a conditional shift. When writing, it's essential to consider the degree of divergence implied to ensure the phrase aligns with the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diverge from

Emphasizes a branching off or difference in direction.

depart from

Highlights a formal or intentional move away from something.

stray from

Suggests a wandering or unintentional movement away.

veer from

Implies a sudden or sharp change in direction.

differ from

Focuses on the aspect of being unlike or dissimilar.

vary from

Indicates a range of differences or fluctuations.

conflict with

Highlights a clash or incompatibility with something.

contradict

Implies a direct opposition or inconsistency.

contrast with

Focuses on highlighting the differences when compared.

fly in the face of

Suggests a bold or defiant opposition to something.

FAQs

How can I use "would deviate from" in a sentence?

You can use "would deviate from" to indicate a departure from an established standard, plan, or expectation. For example, "The new policy "would deviate from" the original guidelines".

What are some alternatives to saying "would deviate from"?

Alternatives include "diverge from", "depart from", or "stray from". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "would deviate from" or "will deviate from"?

"Would deviate from" often implies a hypothetical or conditional scenario, while "will deviate from" suggests a more definite future action. Choose the form that best reflects the certainty of the deviation.

What's the difference between "would deviate from" and "differ from"?

"Would deviate from" implies a change or departure from an original state or plan, while "differ from" simply indicates a difference or dissimilarity between two things without necessarily implying a prior state. You can use "differ from" to refer differences between objects, while "would deviate from" means a move away from the norm.