a comprehensive course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a comprehensive course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a course that covers a wide range of topics in detail, providing thorough knowledge on the subject matter. Example: "The university offers a comprehensive course in environmental science that includes both theoretical and practical components."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Last September the school added a comprehensive course in videography.

The New York Times

Ms. Bryant pointed out that her field amounts to a comprehensive course in clothing design.

The New York Times

Kevin Zraly's Windows on the World Wine School, a comprehensive course, will begin an eight-session course on Sept. 27.

The New York Times - Food

Over a six-week period, the children receive a comprehensive course in theater arts, culminating in the public performance of four shows.

The New York Times

A degree of self-censorship may also be at work: no MOOC operator is offering, say, a comprehensive course dealing with Mao's revolutionary excesses.Faculty staff in Nanjing were relieved to hear that Coursera offers technology to ensure that the person sitting the exam actually studied the course (outwitting ingenious cheats is a major hassle for Chinese universities).

The Economist

General science (and social biology) consequently came to be associated with female learners and less capable or academically inclined students (Jenkins 1989); hence, it was stigmatizing and considered a subject unto itself, rather than a comprehensive course as originally intended (Layton 1984).

Asia-Pacific Science Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

You can decide to publish a single comprehensive course, or you can go a step further and publish multiple courses to increase the income potential.

Huffington Post

Verbal responses from participants indicated that many were interested in developing further skills and course participants have been directed towards a more comprehensive course on mental health offered by the local technical college.

BMC Psychiatry

To evaluate student knowledge of diabetes management and satisfaction with the course content and web-based design of DM Educate, a comprehensive diabetes course, at multiple schools of pharmacy.

Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning

There should be a comprehensive survey course in high school, perhaps one taught alongside the typical government course many high schoolers already take.

Huffington Post

As the parent of a 16-year-old, I know that I will be unable to provide the kind of comprehensive "course of study" offered by a professional driving school or a high school driver's education class.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a curriculum, specify what makes the course "comprehensive". Instead of simply stating it's "a comprehensive course", detail the modules, skills, or knowledge areas covered.

Common error

Avoid using "a comprehensive course" when the course only covers a limited set of topics. Ensure the course truly offers broad and in-depth coverage before using this descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a comprehensive course" functions as a noun phrase, where "comprehensive" modifies the noun "course". According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

48%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

9%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a comprehensive course" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a course that offers a thorough and wide-ranging study of a particular subject. Ludwig confirms its validity and frequent appearance across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general informational websites. When using this phrase, be mindful of its register and ensure the course truly warrants the description of "comprehensive" by detailing its specific modules and learning objectives. Alternatives like "an in-depth course" or "an exhaustive course" can provide nuanced ways to convey the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exhaustive course

Emphasizes the thoroughness and completeness of the course.

an in-depth course

Highlights the level of detail and analysis involved in the course.

a thorough course

Similar to "comprehensive" but focuses on the meticulous nature of the learning experience.

a detailed course

Focuses on the inclusion of many specifics and particulars.

a complete course

Indicates that the course covers all necessary aspects of the subject.

an all-inclusive course

Suggests the course covers every aspect and leaves nothing out.

a wide-ranging course

Emphasizes the breadth and scope of the topics covered.

an extensive course

Highlights the large amount of material covered.

a full course

Implies the course is complete and satisfying.

a broad-based course

Indicates the course covers a wide variety of related subjects.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a comprehensive course"?

You can use alternatives like "an exhaustive course", "an in-depth course", or "a thorough course" depending on the context.

How do I use "a comprehensive course" in a sentence?

You can say, "The university offers "a comprehensive course" in data science" or "The online platform provides "a comprehensive course" on digital marketing".

What makes a course considered "comprehensive"?

A "comprehensive course" typically covers a wide range of topics in detail, providing thorough knowledge and skills in the subject matter. It often includes both theoretical and practical components.

Is it redundant to say "a very comprehensive course"?

While grammatically correct, adding "very" might be redundant. "Comprehensive" already implies thoroughness. Consider using alternatives like "an exhaustive course" or emphasizing specific details covered in the course.