What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
detoured
Example
We had to detour around the construction site to get to the restaurant. [detour: verb]
Example
The driver took a detour to avoid the heavy traffic on the highway. [detour: noun]
diverted
Example
The comedian diverted the audience's attention with a joke. [divert: verb]
Example
The company diverted some of its profits to support a charity. [divert: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Detoured is more commonly used than diverted in transportation contexts, but diverted is more versatile and can be used in various fields. Both words are less common in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between detoured and diverted?
Both detoured and diverted are neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
