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Grammar fix

branch out

diversify (into new areas or activities)

to start doing something different from your usual work or activities, especially to expand into new areas or markets.

phrasal verbC1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • After years of selling only coffee, the company decided to branch out into baked goods.work
  • In my opinion, it's important for companies to branch out into new markets if they want to stay competitive in today's global economy.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: branch out (into something)

WrongShe wants to branch out to freelance work.

RightShe wants to branch out into freelance work.

'Branch out INTO' a new area, not 'to'.

Patternbranch out (into something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The company decided to expand its operations into new market sectors.

Natural The company decided to branch out into new markets.

'Branch out into' is the natural verb for moving into new areas; the formal paraphrase is corporate.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • branch out into
    intoon your ownnew areasa bit

Don't confuse it

Unlike the basic sense of 'branch' (as in a part of a tree), 'branch out' is figurative and refers to expanding into new fields or activities.

Try it in Daily Speak →