Cool MateDetour vs Go around the thing
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Detour
Top 5,000 (fairly common)C2noun
Go around the thing
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Go around the thing
| Detour | Go around the thing | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈdiːtʊə//🇺🇸 //ˈdiːtʊr// | 🇬🇧 //ɡəʊ əˈraʊnd ðə θɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ɡoʊ əˈraʊnd ðə θɪŋ// |
| Meaning | A longer route taken to avoid something. | To move to the side of something instead of going through it. |
| Example | We took a detour to avoid the traffic jam on the highway. | You should go around the thing to avoid getting stuck in traffic. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | take a detour, make a detour, road detour | go around obstacles, go around the block, go around in circles, go around the issue, go around the problem |
| Antonyms | direct route, straight path | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'detour' with 'shortcut'., Using 'detour' as a verb incorrectly., Not understanding 'detour' as a noun. | Confusing with 'go through' which means to enter and pass directly., Using 'around' incorrectly, such as 'go around of the thing'., Overusing in contexts where 'bypass' or 'avoid' might fit better. |
| Usage notes | Use 'detour' in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid when discussing direct routes. | Used when navigating obstacles or avoiding direct confrontation. Generally appropriate in neutral contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Detour vs Go around the thing
What's the difference between Detour and Go around the thing?
Detour: A longer route taken to avoid something. Go around the thing: To move to the side of something instead of going through it.
Which is more common: Detour and Go around the thing?
Go around the thing is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Detour: We took a detour to avoid the traffic jam on the highway. Go around the thing: You should go around the thing to avoid getting stuck in traffic.
Can I use Detour and Go around the thing interchangeably?
Not always. Detour and Go around the thing are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.