alter the course of development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alter the course of development" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing changes or influences on progress, growth, or evolution in various fields such as technology, education, or personal growth. Example: "The new policy is expected to alter the course of development in the renewable energy sector."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It is unclear whether the protest will force any action against the masked attackers or alter the course of development that threatens at least 10 clusters of studios where artists live and work on the fringes of the city.

The New York Times

As with attachment to parental figures, subsequent experiences may alter the course of development.

Wikipedia

Many phthalates and phenols are hormonally active and are suspected to alter the course of development.

Environmental Health Perspectives

The prenatal period is a sensitive time during which intrauterine exposures can alter the course of development with enduring effects on the offspring.

BMC Public Health

Binding of PBDEs to thyroid hormone transporters and receptors during critical periods of brain development may alter the course of development toward an autistic phenotype (55).

Emerging Health Threats Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Hormonally active environmental agents may alter the course of pubertal development in girls, which is controlled by steroids and gonadotropins.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Phthalates and phenols include a number of chemicals that are hormonally active and therefore might be expected to alter the course of fetal development.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Distinguished Delegates, we stand on the brink of a historic opportunity to alter the course of human development by devoting the national resources necessary to ensure the well-being of children and families.

Unicef

Ethanol exposure can induce epigenetic changes that do not induce genetic mutations but nonetheless alter the course of fetal development and result in a large array of patterning defects.

Alcohol research : current reviews

Madame President, UNICEF is convinced that we are at a moment in history when the world may finally be ready to alter the course of human development by decisively shifting national investments to favour child well-being - and all of us here today can help accelerate that shift as we approach the Special Session on Children.

Unicef

Mr. President, I firmly believe that a global consensus on these bedrock objectives is within reach -- that we are at a moment in history when the world may finally be ready to alter the course of human development by decisively shifting national investments to favour the well-being of children.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alter the course of development", ensure that the subject performing the altering is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example: "Technological innovation can alter the course of development in various sectors."

Common error

Avoid using "alter the course of development" when describing minor adjustments. Reserve this phrase for situations where there is a significant and lasting change, to prevent exaggerating the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alter the course of development" functions as a verb phrase, where "alter" is the main verb, "the course" serves as the direct object, and "of development" acts as a prepositional phrase modifying "course". As Ludwig suggests, it denotes the action of changing or redirecting the trajectory of a developmental process.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alter the course of development" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of changing or redirecting the progression of something, most often within scientific, formal, or news contexts. Ludwig identifies its function as a verb phrase signifying the action of influencing evolution or progress. While appropriate in formal settings, it might be replaced with simpler alternatives in informal communication. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase is most commonly found in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modify the developmental trajectory

Changes the word choice, using "modify" instead of "alter" and "trajectory" in place of "course", lending a slightly more technical feel.

reshape the development path

"Reshape" implies a more significant change than "alter", and "path" is a more common synonym for "course".

influence the progression of development

"Influence" is a softer term than "alter", suggesting a less direct impact; "progression" replaces "course" for a different flow.

change the direction of progress

Replaces "development" with "progress", focusing more on the forward movement rather than the specific process.

redirect the line of growth

"Redirect" indicates a shift in direction, while "growth" is a broader term than "development".

affect the future unfolding

Uses "affect" to show impact and "unfolding" to represent a process that is slowly revealing itself.

have a hand in shaping future events

More idiomatic, suggesting active involvement in influencing what will happen.

steer the ongoing advancement

"Steer" implies guidance and control, while "advancement" emphasizes positive progress.

recalibrate the route of expansion

"Recalibrate" suggests a necessary adjustment, and "expansion" implies growth in size or scope.

impact the unfolding evolution

Focuses on the impact rather than the alteration, using the broader concept of "evolution".

FAQs

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

Use "alter the course of development" to describe situations where a significant change or intervention redirects the expected progression of something. For instance, "Early intervention programs can "alter the course of development" for children at risk."

What can I say instead of "alter the course of development"?

You can use alternatives like "modify the developmental trajectory", "reshape the development path", or "influence the progression of development" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "alter the course of development" and "change the direction of progress"?

"Alter the course of development" specifically refers to modifying the path of a process or growth, while "change the direction of progress" is a more general term that applies to any forward movement. The former is more precise in the context of evolution or unfolding of events.

Is it appropriate to use "alter the course of development" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "alter the course of development" is more suited for formal or professional contexts. In informal writing, simpler alternatives like "change how things are going" or "make a difference" might be more appropriate.