always on course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "always on course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is consistently following a planned path or direction, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, our team remained always on course towards our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

With hardly any other major movies currently on release, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 was always on course to open with blockbuster box office.

The Guardian - Film

And, once Finn ripped out Pakistan's top four inside nine overs with a devastating new ball spell, the tourists were always on course for victory.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The television is always on, of course, with Dara Birnbaum's "Wonder Woman" video running on one channel, Ericka Beckman's mordant Super-8 childhood skits on another and Mr. Smith's infantile dramas on a third.

The New York Times - Arts

Starting with the United States, the UK is re-establishing where it stands on key issues, always, of course, assessed against the UK national interest.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hard to believe now as I hate the cold but I used to run even in the snow with the dog, day or night and almost always on the local golf course near our house.

Huffington Post

Not always, of course.

The New York Times - Sports

Three times a world indoor heptathlon record-breaker, Eaton has always appeared on course to smash the decathlon mark although many, including himself, thought it would be a few years off.

Huffington Post

He was also displaying the sort of intense curiosity that can seem to suck all the information out of the room, although the focus of his curiosity was not always on the courses he had signed up to take.

The New Yorker

"They played golf, but always on a public course.

The New York Times

As well as selling source vinyl for the breaks and samples prized by DJs and producers, these stores also stock vintage rap 12-inches and current underground hip-hop (always on vinyl, of course).

The Guardian - Music

If you ask any parent or teacher where they think the majority of educational television programming for children is shown, the answer is almost always "on PBS, of course!" But there are still open questions of what, exactly, constitutes "educational television" and even more importantly, what evidence do we have that these "educational" shows are really teaching kids what we think they are?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "always on course" to convey a sense of consistent and predictable progress toward a specific objective, particularly when emphasizing that deviations have been avoided.

Common error

Avoid using "always on course" when you simply mean 'making progress'. The phrase specifically highlights the consistency and lack of deviation in that progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "always on course" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. It signifies a continuous state of adherence to a planned path or objective, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "always on course" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote consistent progress towards a goal. As Ludwig highlights, its usage indicates continuous alignment with a plan, and it is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. While the phrase isn't ubiquitous, understanding its specific nuance—emphasizing unwavering adherence to a predetermined path—can significantly enhance precision in writing. Be sure to use it to show constant, correct direction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consistently on track

Focuses on the consistency of progress towards a specific goal.

steadfastly progressing

Highlights the unyielding nature of the forward movement.

adhering to the intended path

Highlights faithfulness to a pre-established direction or goal.

invariably advancing

Emphasizes the continuous and predictable nature of the advancement.

remaining aligned with the plan

Focuses on the continuous adherence to a predetermined strategy.

unwavering in direction

Stresses the lack of deviation from the intended path.

keeping to the designated route

Implies following a specific path without straying.

resolutely proceeding

Highlights the determination and firm intention behind the progress.

persistently advancing

Emphasizes the continuous effort despite potential obstacles.

continuously advancing towards

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the movement toward a goal.

FAQs

How can I use "always on course" in a sentence?

You can use "always on course" to indicate that someone or something is consistently following a planned path or direction. For example: "Despite the challenges, the project remained "always on course"."

What can I say instead of "always on course"?

Alternatives to "always on course" include "consistently on track", "steadfastly progressing", or "remaining aligned with the plan", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "always in course" instead of "always on course"?

No, the correct idiom is "always on course". The preposition "on" indicates being situated or directed along a particular path or plan. "In course" is not typically used in this context.

What is the difference between "always on course" and "generally on course"?

"Always on course" suggests a continuous and unwavering adherence to a plan, while "generally on course" implies occasional deviations or minor adjustments along the way. The former emphasizes consistency, the latter acknowledges some degree of flexibility.