I took courses

USAGE SUMMARY

The term 'I took courses' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a period of time in which you completed educational courses or classes. For example, "Last year, I took courses in physics, chemistry, and math to help me prepare for college.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

In college, I took courses in English literature.

The New Yorker

I took courses about the wider world: Marxism, philosophy, different societies, particularly African.

The New Yorker

I took courses in IT and cultural management to make myself more employable.

The Guardian - Opinion

I took courses in Cuernavaca, Guadalajara, San Miguel de Allende and Mérida.

The New York Times - Travel

I went to one of the Claremont Colleges, where I took courses in political science and economics and failed them.

The New Yorker

For a couple of years, I took courses in the evenings at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

I take courses that will further educate me.

Huffington Post

I was nominally a physics major, but I also took courses in sociology and psychology.

The New Yorker

I also took courses at Concordia University in Montreal.

The New York Times

I still took courses on theology, art, maths, photography, French, and more.

Independent

B.G. Well, I love taking courses, as much as anyone I know!

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I took courses" when referring to a period of time in which you completed educational courses or classes.

Common error

Avoid using "I take courses" when referring to courses completed in the past. Use "I took courses" to accurately reflect past enrollment and participation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I took courses" functions as an independent clause within a sentence. It typically serves as the subject and verb of the sentence, indicating that the speaker or writer participated in and completed educational courses.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science & Research

24%

Huffington Post

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Vice

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I took courses" is a grammatically sound and common expression used to describe past participation in educational programs. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for written English and appears frequently in news, scientific, and general media. When using this phrase, be mindful of tense consistency and specify the subject areas of the courses for added clarity. Alternatives such as "I studied courses" and "I attended courses" can provide nuanced variations in meaning, enhancing the precision of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I studied courses

Replaces "took" with "studied", emphasizing the engagement and effort in learning the material.

I attended courses

Uses "attended" instead of "took", highlighting the act of being present in the course sessions.

I enrolled in courses

Focuses on the act of officially registering for the courses, implying a formal commitment.

I participated in courses

Emphasizes active involvement and engagement within the courses.

I completed courses

Highlights the successful finishing of the courses, suggesting fulfillment of requirements.

I undertook courses

Replaces "took" with "undertook", adding a sense of commitment and responsibility to the action.

I pursued courses

Indicates an active striving and dedication towards achieving knowledge through the courses.

I did coursework

Replaces "took courses" with "did coursework", which is a more general term for academic assignments.

I engaged in studies

Highlights overall educational effort, broader than just specific classes.

I had classes

Uses "had classes" instead of "I took courses", which sounds less formal.

FAQs

What does "I took courses" mean?

The phrase "I took courses" means that you participated in and completed one or more educational courses, usually within a formal setting like a school or university.

What can I say instead of "I took courses"?

You can use alternatives like "I studied courses", "I attended courses", or "I enrolled in courses" depending on the context.

How do I use "I took courses" in a sentence?

You can use "I took courses" in sentences such as "Last summer, "I took courses" in web development and graphic design" or "To advance my career, "I took courses" in project management".

Which is correct, "I took courses" or "I take courses"?

"I took courses" refers to courses completed in the past, while "I take courses" indicates current or habitual enrollment. The correct phrase depends on the time frame you are referencing.