a smooth course

USAGE SUMMARY

"a smooth course" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is progressing or developing easily and without any complications or problems. For example, "The project was going according to plan, and seemed to be taking a smooth course."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But Democrats by no means have a smooth course, either.

The New York Times

He navigated a smooth course through a jumbled-up set built from bits and pieces, hits and covers.

The New York Times - Sports

But also let her start with the boys, not as a forerunner on a smooth course but in the pack.

The New York Times - Sports

Let's take them down to a lower altitude and scare them!" We had second thoughts about that and kept on a smooth course.

The New York Times

Up close, he was something so much more, a man whose life did not always run a smooth course but who could be warm and thoughtful and likable.

The New York Times - Sports

One of the authors of that report, Dr. Michael E. Schlesinger, a climatologist at the University of Illinois, said it was particularly important for policy makers and the public not to assume that temperature trends would follow a smooth course.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Passengers who do not check luggage have a smoother course, but some lines have put kiosks next to luggage-checking counters, and clerks can take away bags as soon as a kiosk creates the boarding pass.

The New York Times - Travel

Steeling her voice to give it a razor-sharp edge, Gilbert said recently, she delivered the speech that she wished she had heard at the same age, the one that would almost certainly have set her life on a smoother course.

The New York Times - Sports

It is hard to turn to this new volume in Penguin's History of Europe and not reflect on how profoundly different the subsequent seven books in the series would have been had the line of progress from the time of, say, Hadrian only continued on a smoother course.

The Guardian - Books

The firm has recently charted a smoother course.

Forbes

Even as Washington's relationship with Tehran seems on a smoother course — Kerry and his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, are on the phone just about daily — the United States' longest-standing allies in the region, Saudi Arabia and Israel, have appeared increasingly on the outs.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a smooth course" to describe situations where progress is steady and without significant obstacles. For example, "The negotiations followed a smooth course, leading to a swift agreement."

Common error

Avoid using "a smooth course" when describing situations that are inherently turbulent or unpredictable. It's misleading to say "The stock market followed a smooth course" during a period of high volatility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smooth course" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig AI highlights how this phrase often describes the manner in which something progresses or develops.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a smooth course" is a noun phrase indicating a process or situation progressing without significant difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common use. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, followed by scientific and sports writing. Alternative phrases include "an easy path" and "a straightforward route". Remember to use it when describing stable and uncomplicated progress and avoid it in turbulent scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an easy path

This alternative focuses on the ease of progression, similar to "a smooth course".

a straightforward route

This emphasizes the directness and lack of complications in the course.

a trouble-free journey

This highlights the absence of problems or difficulties along the way.

an uncomplicated process

This alternative emphasizes the simplicity and lack of complexity in the process.

a seamless progression

This emphasizes the continuous and unbroken flow of progress.

a facilitated development

This highlights the support and ease in the development process.

a clear trajectory

This alternative concentrates on the unobstructed and predictable path.

an even keel

This emphasizes stability and balance, suggesting a lack of disruption.

a fluid operation

This highlights the efficient and graceful nature of the operation.

a predictable outcome

This focuses on the expected and stable result of the process.

FAQs

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

You can use "a smooth course" to describe something progressing without difficulties, such as, "The project took "a smooth course" from inception to completion."

What's a good alternative to "a smooth course"?

Alternatives to "a smooth course" include "an easy path", "a straightforward route", or "a trouble-free journey", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a smooth course"?

It's appropriate when describing processes or situations where progress is steady, consistent, and free from significant problems or disruptions. For example, a well-managed project might follow "a smooth course".

What does it mean when something is described as taking "a smooth course"?

It indicates that the process or situation is proceeding without major obstacles, setbacks, or complications. The absence of disruptions signifies that something is taking "a smooth course".