a complete course of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a complete course of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a full or thorough program of study, treatment, or training. Example: "The doctor recommended a complete course of antibiotics to ensure the infection is fully treated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

They cannot afford a complete course of treatment, or take weaker and cheaper counterfeit drugs.

The New York Times

"Bundled payments" pay a lump sum for a complete course of treatment, such as shoulder surgery.

The Economist

Lamisil costs more than $8 per pill, and a complete course of treatment can cost about $700.

The New York Times - Health

In 1818 he documented his discovery in Vollständiges Lehrbuch der Steindruckerey (1818; A Complete Course of Lithography).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Such a national coverage determination was undertaken for Provenge, which costs $93,000 for a complete course of treatment.

The New York Times

Bristol-Myers said it would charge $120,000 for a complete course of treatment, which consists of four infusions given over a three-month period.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

This study showed that the estimated cost of hospitalization per ELBW neonate transferred to the NICU and those surviving with a completed course of treatment at discharge would be 1442 and 2798 $ respectively.

Health Economics Review

Besides one patient receiving doxycycline, all symptomatic patients were treated with a completed course of amoxicillin and none reported diseases or medication, which might have an impact on the immune system.

Plosone

This cough responds to a completed course of appropriate antibiotics.

Cough

Direct observed therapy (DOT) verifies a completed course of treatment.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Anaemia was identified in 68%percentt of infants but only one third received a completed course of treatment for this.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a complete course of" in medical contexts, ensure you specify the type of treatment for clarity (e.g., "a complete course of antibiotics" or "a complete course of chemotherapy").

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating what the "complete course" entails. For example, instead of saying "the patient received a complete course", specify "the patient received a complete course of physical therapy consisting of 12 sessions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complete course of" functions as a determiner phrase, often followed by a noun (treatment, study, vaccination, etc.) to specify that something is done thoroughly, exhaustively, or to its intended conclusion. Examples from Ludwig show its use across multiple fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a complete course of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signifies the thorough execution of a treatment, study, or training program. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it's most prevalent in scientific and news contexts. The phrase's purpose is to assure completeness and effectiveness, making it useful in both professional and general communication. When writing with this phrase, clarity is key—specify what the "complete course" involves to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a full program of

Emphasizes the entirety of the program.

a thorough treatment regimen

Focuses on the detailed and comprehensive nature of a medical treatment.

a comprehensive curriculum of

Highlights the inclusiveness and breadth of an educational curriculum.

a full cycle of

Implies a sequence of events that are performed till the end.

an entire series of

Focuses on the sequential and complete nature of a set of events or items.

a whole course of

This emphasizes the completeness of the course.

a total course of

This emphasizes the entirety of the course.

a full therapeutic cycle

Refers specifically to completing all phases of a therapeutic process.

a detailed study of

Focuses on the exhaustive and in-depth exploration of a subject.

an exhaustive examination of

Emphasizes the comprehensive and thorough nature of an investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "a complete course of" in a sentence?

You can use "a complete course of" to refer to the full duration or recommended amount of a treatment, study, or training. For example: "The doctor prescribed "a complete course of antibiotics" to treat the infection".

What are some alternatives to saying "a complete course of"?

Alternatives include "a full program of", "a thorough treatment regimen", or "a comprehensive curriculum of", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a complete course of treatment" or "a full course of treatment"?

Both phrases are acceptable and commonly used. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context, as they convey essentially the same meaning. "A complete course of treatment" emphasizes the finished or exhaustive nature of the treatment.

What does "a complete course of vaccination" involve?

A "complete course of vaccination" typically refers to the full series of doses required for a vaccine to provide optimal immunity. The specifics vary by vaccine, such as "a complete course of pneumococcal vaccination" which may comprise three shots at specific intervals.