a brief course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brief course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a short educational program or class that covers a specific topic in a limited amount of time. Example: "I enrolled in a brief course on digital marketing to enhance my skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

I suggested a brief course of therapy to last no more than six months, with one precondition.

The New York Times - Health

For example, one small study showed that depressed patients responded more quickly to a brief course of interpersonal psychotherapy than they did to the antidepressant Zoloft.

The New York Times

Impressed by embalming's possibilities and profits, he persuaded a staff member of a medical college in Cincinnati to institute a brief course in embalming in 1882, thus establishing the basis of mortuary education in the United States.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I once took a brief course in FORTRAN programming, and the ten-year-old son of a colleague of mine once gave me an afternoon's worth of instruction in BASIC programming language, which he uses to operate a typewriter-size computer in his father's study.

The New Yorker

Indeed, the book's milieu and details read like the material for a brief course on the lives of the famous couple: the notably homely Jewish artist who betrays her own talent to nurture the depressive, badly behaved alcoholic genius, who repays the favor by killing himself in a drunken car wreck that his pretty young mistress survives.

The New York Times - Books

He was a Connecticut Yankee who played Beethoven sonatas and jazz, read the lengthy Norwegian novel "Kristin Lavransdatter" twice, and while in the army in World War II attended a brief course at Oxford University where he practiced, among other things, how to use a knife and fork in the British manner.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Mr. Klibonoff also joined Mr. Fain for the American premiere of "Pendulum," a brief, coursing showpiece given a whirlwind account.

The New York Times - Arts

Antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgery refers to a very brief course of an antimicrobial agent initiated just before the start of the procedure.

Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica

In a former paper, our group developed a "minimal core curriculum" for undergraduate GP/FM, meant as an aid for medical schools introducing the topic for the first time, usually starting with a very brief course [ 10].

BMC Medical Education

Genetic studies show that even an extremely brief course of antibiotics such as macrolides can induce very long-lived changes in the gut flora, for up to 4 years [ 34].

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control

Yet it is also, in its brief course, a book about living life wrong, and in this way is a bracing moral testimony".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In medical contexts, using "a brief course" to describe treatment regimens helps set realistic expectations for patients regarding the duration of therapy and potential outcomes. Be clear on dosage and possible side effects.

Common error

Avoid overstating the depth of knowledge or skills gained from "a brief course". It's essential to accurately represent the limited scope of the material covered to prevent disappointment or unrealistic expectations. "A brief course" is not meant to transform you into an expert.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief course" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It refers to a short educational or training program, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples of therapy, programming, and medical treatment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a brief course" is a grammatically sound and common noun phrase that describes a short educational or treatment program. As Ludwig confirms, it is used across various contexts, including science, news, encyclopedias and general knowledge. When using the phrase, ensure you accurately represent the scope of the material and manage expectations accordingly. Consider related phrases like "a short program" or "a crash course" for alternative expressions, as they help to add variety and focus to your writing. Overall, "a brief course" is a useful and versatile phrase for describing concise learning experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short program

Focuses on the program aspect, highlighting its structured nature.

a concise module

Emphasizes the compactness and focused nature of the learning unit.

a crash course

Implies an intensive and accelerated learning experience.

a quick training

Highlights the rapid nature of the training provided.

a fast track

Suggests expedited progression through a subject.

a short tutorial

Emphasizes the instructional aspect of the experience.

a limited session

Focuses on the time-constrained nature of the instruction.

a compact class

Highlights the efficient nature of the class.

a succinct lesson

Emphasizes the brevity and directness of the lesson.

an accelerated study

Suggests a faster pace of learning.

FAQs

How can I use "a brief course" in a sentence?

You can use "a brief course" to describe a short educational program. For example, "I took "a brief course" in data science to improve my analytical skills."

What are some alternatives to "a brief course"?

Alternatives to "a brief course" include "a short program", "a crash course", or "a short tutorial" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to describe medical treatments as "a brief course"?

Yes, in medical contexts, "a brief course" can be used to describe a short regimen of treatment, such as ""a brief course" of antibiotics".

What's the difference between "a brief course" and "a workshop"?

"A brief course" typically implies a more structured and educational program with defined learning objectives, while a "workshop" often focuses on hands-on activities and practical skill development.