a course of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a course of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to refer to a plan or series of steps taken to achieve a certain goal. For example, "We are taking a course of action to reduce our carbon footprint."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I've just finished a course of antibiotics.

Independent

A course of treatment of ipilimumab costs $120,000.

The New York Times

"My only hope is a course of mercury," she wrote.

The New York Times - Arts

Now, sufferers are given a course of antibiotics.

The Economist

Margaret started a course of Chinese herbal medicine instead.

The New Yorker

Unless poetry counts as a course of action.

The New York Times

She had a course of brain and lung radiation.

The New Yorker

A mastectomy and a course of chemotherapy and radiation followed.

The New York Times

I went under a Course of Bitters, & Anti-hysteric Pills.

The New Yorker

But I propose a course of passive resistance.

The New York Times - Sports

They will decide on a course of action soon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medical treatments, use "a course of" to indicate the duration and type of treatment received. For example, "a course of antibiotics" or "a course of chemotherapy".

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "a course of" with similar terms like "dose" or "session". "A course of" refers to the entire treatment period, while "dose" refers to a single administration and "session" may refer to therapy or academic settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a course of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun. It typically introduces a duration, quantity, or type of action or treatment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The examples show it in contexts ranging from "a course of antibiotics" to "a course of action".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a course of" is a versatile phrase used to specify the nature, extent, or duration of an action or treatment. It is considered grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings, according to Ludwig AI. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by distinguishing it from similar terms like "dose" or "session", and remember that "a course of treatment" is the correct idiomatic form. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "a course of" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of

Emphasizes a sequence or succession of events or actions, similar to a treatment plan.

a round of

Suggests a set or cycle of actions or treatments, often used in medical or therapeutic contexts.

a sequence of

Highlights the ordered nature of events, actions, or treatments within a plan.

a program of

Implies a structured set of activities or treatments designed for a specific purpose.

a regimen of

Refers to a strict, regulated plan or system, often in the context of health or fitness.

a schedule of

Focuses on the planned and timed arrangement of actions or treatments.

a process of

Highlights the steps or stages involved in achieving a particular outcome.

a set of

Indicates a collection or group of actions or treatments.

a line of

Suggests a direction or approach taken in pursuing a goal.

a chain of

Emphasizes the interconnectedness of actions or events, where each step leads to the next.

FAQs

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

You can use "a course of" to describe a series of actions, treatments, or studies taken over a period. For example, "The doctor prescribed "a course of antibiotics" to treat the infection."

What are some alternatives to "a course of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a series of", "a round of", or "a program of".

Is it correct to say "a course of treatment" or "course of a treatment"?

"A course of treatment" is the correct and idiomatic expression. The alternative, "course of a treatment", is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "a course of action" and "a series of actions"?

"A course of action" implies a specific strategy or plan, while "a series of actions" refers to a sequence of individual acts that may or may not be part of a larger plan.