a course that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a course that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific course or program of study that has particular characteristics or content. Example: "I am currently enrolled in a course that focuses on advanced mathematics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is there a course that addresses this?

University of California, Berkeley

It's a course that cannot be ignored, a course that cannot be deterred.

The New York Times

Exempt (Ex) Indicates a course that is exempted by examination.

Stanford University

So if Mike's daughter wants to go on a course, that would be good.

Independent

The most exciting thing is that students can opt for a course that really opens doors.

Independent

Whatever your brief, we can create a course that will benefit your business.

The Guardian

The Europeans are not set irrevocably on a course that will change NATO for ever.

The Economist

Now, Yellen has embarked on a course that bears her own imprint.

The New Yorker

He created a course that would bring all the parties together.

Harvard Business Review

That would automatically raise taxes during recessions, a course that contributed to the Great Depression.

The New York Times

It's a course that really suits him.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the specifics of a course, ensure that the "that" clause provides clear and relevant details about its content or purpose. For example, "I'm looking for a course that covers data science fundamentals."

Common error

Avoid using "a course that" when a simpler phrasing suffices. Instead of "It is a course that is required", say "It is a required course".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a course that" functions as a noun phrase followed by a relative clause. The relative clause introduced by "that" modifies and provides additional information about the "course". This is supported by Ludwig AI analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a course that" is a versatile phrase used to specify or describe a course based on its features or content. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. When writing, remember to use the "that" clause to provide clear and relevant details and avoid redundant phrasing. The most frequent authoritative sources are The New York Times, BBC, The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, and HuffPost. Alternatives include "a class that" or "a program that", depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a class which

Replaces "course" with "class" and "that" with "which", slightly altering the tone.

a program that

Substitutes "course" with "program", focusing on a structured set of activities.

a module which

Replaces "course" with "module", implying a smaller, self-contained unit of study and changes "that" with "which".

a curriculum that

Replaces "course" with "curriculum", emphasizing the overall content and structure of the studies.

an educational experience that

Replaces "a course that" with a more descriptive and broader term.

a study that

Replaces "course" with "study", focusing on the act of learning.

a subject that

Replaces "course" with "subject", emphasizing the specific area of knowledge.

training that

Replaces "a course" with "training", focusing on skills development.

an educational path that

Substitutes with a more directional description of learning.

a lesson which

Replaces "course" with "lesson" and "that" with "which", implying a single session of learning.

FAQs

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

Use "a course that" to describe a specific course with particular attributes or features. For example, "I need "a course that" teaches the basics of programming."

What are some alternatives to "a course that"?

You can use phrases such as "a class that", "a program that", or "a subject that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a course which" instead of "a course that"?

While both "that" and "which" can be used, "that" is generally preferred for restrictive clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning. "A course that focuses on grammar" is more common than "a course which focuses on grammar".

What's the difference between "a course that" and "the course that"?

"A course that" refers to any course that meets certain criteria, while "the course that" refers to a specific, previously mentioned course.