altering the course of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "altering the course of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing changes or impacts on a particular situation, event, or process. Example: "The new policy is aimed at altering the course of environmental degradation in our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Altering the course of sports television wasn't enough?

The New York Times - Sports

Even when he was altering the course of history, he did not cease to be enigmatic, unpredictable.

The New Yorker

Fires can produce their own weather patterns, for instance, which can then end up altering the course of the fires.

The New York Times

Nor would a strike be aimed at altering the course of Syria's two-year-old civil war.

The New York Times

But the bombing did begin, very late, that Saturday, saving Benghazi and altering the course of the war.

Independent

Washington's best chance of altering the course of events on the Korean peninsula will depend on how much further Beijing is willing to go.

The Guardian

In their steadfastness they challenged Scolari, whose Brazil won the 2002 World Cup, to demonstrate his famous gift for altering the course of a game.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps, she ventured, it was to validate the substance of her life while slightly altering the course of it toward public advocacy.

The New York Times - Sports

A well-kept secret of the mainstream art world is the role that psychedelic drugs have played in shaping and altering the course of art since the 1960s.

The New York Times - Arts

Never mind that any hope of the Sandy Hook slaughter altering the course of America's gun control debate depended first on the press reporting it.

Independent

"A Place of Greater Safety" involved herculean characters altering the course of history: young, fierce, brutal, and witty — everything was big, everything was important, the most trivial action took on heroic significance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "altering the course of" when you want to emphasize a significant change or redirection in a process, event, or situation. Be mindful of the context to ensure it accurately reflects the degree of impact you intend to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "altering the course of" for trivial changes. Reserve it for instances where the impact is substantial and the direction is significantly modified. Otherwise, opt for simpler alternatives like "adjusting" or "modifying".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "altering the course of" functions as a verbal phrase that typically introduces a noun phrase, indicating a significant modification or redirection. It suggests a deliberate or impactful change to a path, direction, or outcome. Ludwig examples show how the phrase is commonly used in both specific and abstract contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "altering the course of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a significant change or redirection. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across different contexts, especially news, scientific, and business sources. When employing this phrase, it’s best to reserve it for substantial changes and avoid overuse in trivial situations. Consider alternatives like "modifying the trajectory of" or "changing the direction of" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember, the best practice is to ensure that its impact is considerable and its direction is really modified.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modifying the trajectory of

Replaces "course" with "trajectory", emphasizing direction and path.

changing the direction of

Focuses on a change in direction rather than the overall course.

reshaping the outcome of

Highlights the change in the final result rather than the process.

influencing the development of

Emphasizes influence over a gradual process rather than a sudden alteration.

redirecting the path of

Similar to changing direction, but with an emphasis on a new path.

affecting the progress of

Focuses on influencing the speed or advancement of something.

revising the plan for

Implies a more deliberate and structured change to a predefined plan.

transforming the nature of

Suggests a more fundamental change in the essence or character of something.

adjusting the approach to

Emphasizes a change in methodology or strategy.

bending the arc of

More metaphorical, suggesting a subtle but significant influence over a longer trend.

FAQs

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

You can use "altering the course of" to describe a significant change in direction or outcome. For example, "The discovery of penicillin was instrumental in "altering the course of" medical history".

What can I say instead of "altering the course of"?

You can use alternatives like "modifying the trajectory of", "changing the direction of", or "reshaping the outcome of" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "altering the course of"?

"Altering the course of" is appropriate when describing significant changes that have a lasting impact. It suggests a fundamental shift, not just a minor adjustment.

Which is correct, "altering the course of" or "changing the course of"?

Both "altering the course of" and "changing the course of" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. However, "altering" suggests a more profound or fundamental change than "changing".