a former course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a former course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a previous path, direction, or educational program that someone has taken. Example: "After completing a former course in biology, she decided to pursue a career in environmental science."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science & Research

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This result confirms our inference that the fluvial sands from the cores are deposits of a former course of the Sutlej River.

Nature

Myra Bluestein Rufo Flagstaff, Ariz., April 10, 2006 The writer is a former course director of medical clinical anatomy at Tufts University.

The New York Times

The building was part of a small palisaded settlement built on stilts in the middle of what was, back in the Bronze Age, a 50 metre wide river – probably a former course of the River Nene.

Independent

Our analysis shows that the Ghaggar–Hakra palaeochannel is a former course of the Himalayan Sutlej River that formed and occupied an incised valley from at least ~23 ka (Fig. 10a).

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In New York right now Mr. Stadlen and Mr. Stephenson are embarked on the former course, and a result is that the show feels a bit bleached out.

The New York Times

The Ghaggar–Hakra palaeochannel has been claimed as the former course of a large Himalayan river that provided water resources to sustain these Indus settlements12, 33, 41, 42, which include important sites such as Kalibangan, Banawali, Bhirrana and Kunal.

Nature

There are currently two launchers at the location, which is a former golf course.

The Guardian

But the neighborhood, developed in the early 20th century on the site of a former golf course and named for the botanical gardens outside London, is an easy place to get lost.

The New York Times

A levee breach caused the temporary re-routing of the Kosi River some 60 km eastwards into a former channel course that had been abandoned a hundred years previously, causing extensive flooding and loss of life in the region9.

Nature

If you want to feel the tug of McMansion living, go to Olney, Md., where new cul-de-sacs are curling over the terrain of a former golf course.

The Washington Post

With some 230 sculptures, textiles, ceramics and paintings filling an exceptionally attractive campus museum — a former golf course clubhouse — the show is neither small nor in any way ordinary.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a former course", ensure the context clearly indicates what the course refers to, whether it's a river's path, an educational program, or a sequence of actions. This prevents ambiguity and enhances clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "latter" when "former" is intended. "Former" refers to the first of two things mentioned, while "latter" refers to the second. Using the wrong term can completely reverse your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a former course" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It indicates that the noun (course) previously existed or was in use but is not anymore. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science & Research

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a former course" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that previously existed but is no longer current. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While not overly frequent, its usage is consistent across diverse professional fields like science, media, and formal communications. It effectively conveys the idea of a prior state, whether referring to a river's path or an educational program. When using "a former course", clarity and context are crucial to avoid ambiguity, ensuring the reader understands the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a previous course

Replaces "former" with "previous", maintaining the meaning of something that occurred before.

a prior course

Substitutes "former" with "prior", emphasizing the chronological order.

a past course

Replaces "former" with "past", indicating something that is no longer current.

a discontinued course

Replaces "former" with "discontinued", clarifying that the course is no longer offered or available.

a one-time course

Replaces "former" with "one-time", focusing on the singular, non-recurring nature of the course.

a old course

Substitutes "former" with "old", indicating the channel or the course is not used anymore.

a bygone course

Substitutes "former" with "bygone", evoking a sense of something belonging to a past era.

a defunct course

Replaces "former" with "defunct", stressing that the course is no longer functioning or in use.

a historical course

Substitutes "former" with "historical", highlighting the course's existence in the past and its historical significance.

a forgotten course

Replaces "former" with "forgotten", emphasizing that the course is not remembered or considered anymore.

FAQs

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

You can use "a former course" to refer to a previous path of a river, like in the sentence, "The building was part of a settlement built on what was probably "a former course" of the River Nene." It can also refer to a class a student has taken.

What are some alternatives to "a former course"?

Alternatives include "a previous course", "a prior course", or "a past course", depending on the context. Each emphasizes the idea of something that existed or occurred earlier.

Is it correct to say "the former class" instead of "a former course"?

While "the former class" is grammatically correct, it implies you've already established which class you're referring to. "A former course" is more general and introduces the concept without specific prior reference. The suitability depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "a former course" and "a past course"?

Both "a former course" and "a past course" indicate something that existed or occurred previously. However, "former" often suggests a more official or structural context, while "past" is more general. They are often interchangeable but "former" has slightly higher formality.