affecting the course of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "affecting the course of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how something influences or changes the direction or outcome of a situation or event. Example: "The new policy is affecting the course of our project, leading to unexpected delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

These two images are capable of changing the narrative, possibly affecting the course of history.

The New York Times

The drugs and other therapies going into clinical trials "have a real prospect of affecting the course of the disease," particularly among certain groups of patients, said Kevin Flanigan, a medical researcher at the University of Utah.

The New York Times

You can't talk about ideals especially the ideals of the Founders of the United States, who represented just another collection of interest groups as affecting the course of events.

The New Yorker

You can't talk about ideals — especially the ideals of the Founders of the United States, who represented just another collection of interest groups — as affecting the course of events.

The New Yorker

The judgment by the Fed and the White House that the economy is clearly on the mend could have widespread policy and political repercussions, affecting the course of interest rates, the debate over the budget surplus and tax cuts and the Congressional elections in November.

The New York Times

BACKGROUND: Depression frequently occurs in combination with diabetes mellitus, adversely affecting the course of illness.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

So the cameras really affected the course of justice.

The Guardian

Other changes affected the course of the state's development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The right rhetorical style can still affect the course of events.

The New York Times

"We need to understand how inflammation affects the course of Alzheimer's.

The Guardian

How 20th-century presidential marriages affected the course of American history.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "affecting the course of" when you want to emphasize that something has a significant influence on the direction or outcome of an event, process, or situation. Be specific about what is being affected and the nature of the influence.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "affect" (to influence) with "effect" (a result). "Affecting the course of" describes the act of influencing, not the resulting effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "affecting the course of" functions as a participial phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the act of influencing or changing the direction of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

50%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "affecting the course of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey the idea of influencing or changing the direction or outcome of something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Scientific, and Academic sources, it maintains a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, remember to consider its impact and clarity. For alternative expressions, you can use: "influencing the trajectory of", "altering the direction of", or "shaping the development of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

influencing the trajectory of

Focuses on the direction or path being affected, implying a change in the intended route.

altering the direction of

Highlights a change in the course or orientation.

shaping the development of

Emphasizes the progressive formation and growth being influenced.

guiding the progress of

Suggests a more controlled and directed influence on the advancement.

impacting the outcome of

Focuses specifically on the final result being affected.

affecting the evolution of

Highlights a more gradual change in something over time.

having a bearing on

Indicates a more subtle influence or relevance.

playing a role in

Suggests contributing to the sequence of events.

contributing to the path of

Focuses on how something adds to or affects the direction of something.

leaving its mark on

Focuses on the influence something has on a particular situation.

FAQs

What does "affecting the course of" mean?

The phrase "affecting the course of" means influencing or changing the direction or development of something.

How can I use "affecting the course of" in a sentence?

You can use "affecting the course of" to describe how a particular event or action has significantly influenced the direction or outcome of something. For example: "The new evidence is "affecting the course of" the investigation".

What are some alternatives to "affecting the course of"?

Some alternatives include "influencing the trajectory of", "altering the direction of", or "shaping the development of".

Is "affecting the course of" formal or informal?

The phrase "affecting the course of" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone and subject matter. While versatile, consider if a simpler term like "influencing" might be more appropriate in less formal settings.