arduous courses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arduous courses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe classes or subjects that are particularly challenging or demanding in terms of effort and time. Example: "The university offers a variety of arduous courses that require a significant commitment from students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Golf's ranks were expected to swell when baby-boomers retired, but many of them have found the arduous courses too much like hard work.When a star comes along, the game can suddenly enjoy an unexpected boost.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He meanwhile undertook an arduous course of self-instruction through the study of musical works—notably those of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach and of leading manuals of musical theory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The following account describes the most important mileposts in the arduous course, from the time nearly three years ago when the historic legislation was but a gleam in the President's eye until he triumphantly signed it into law today.

The New York Times

Altering the Constitution involves an arduous course requiring the consent of 2/3 of Congress and 3/4th of the States.

Huffington Post

This is a race of champions, which is run over a notoriously arduous course, which stretches over 22 fences and culminates in a challenging uphill sprint finish.

WikiHow

The group calls for shorter and less arduous treatment courses to help patients complete their treatment and reduce further cases of infection.

The Guardian

Still reeling from the diagnosis, we readily agreed to the arduous treatment course the specialist suggested: six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation conducted concurrently.

Los Angeles Times

This sort of movement-building is arduous, of course, but Roemer can look to the example of Ron Paul, whose own failed runs for the White House have nevertheless led to an impressive grassroots movement, which is getting footsoldiers trained in the peculiarities of the primary process and helping like-minded candidates get nominated and elected.

HuffPost

But ultimately, team members' tireless efforts paid off in completing the arduous 26.2-mile course.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For instance, a study of West Point cadets found that those who rated themselves high in grit were most likely to complete an arduous summer training course.

Harvard Business Review

For teachers, the pilot courses were arduous, but mainly because of novelty.

International Journal of STEM Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing academic programs, use "arduous courses" to emphasize the high level of difficulty and commitment required. This is particularly effective when aiming to attract dedicated and serious students.

Common error

Avoid using "arduous courses" to describe everyday tasks or simple challenges. The term implies a significant level of difficulty and effort, and its overuse can diminish its impact and sound exaggerated. Consider using simpler terms like "difficult" or "challenging" for less intense situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arduous courses" functions as a descriptive phrase, where 'arduous' modifies 'courses'. It is used to characterize specific academic subjects or training programs known for their demanding nature and difficulty. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing challenging academic and professional training programs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

20%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arduous courses" is a descriptive phrase used to denote the challenging and demanding nature of particular academic or training programs. It correctly follows standard English grammar and is considered usable, as supported by Ludwig. While versatile across various contexts like news, academia, and science, its frequency is uncommon. When writing, reserve "arduous courses" for programs that genuinely require significant effort, and consider alternatives such as "challenging classes" or "difficult subjects" for less intense situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging classes

Replaces "arduous" with "challenging", which maintains a similar level of difficulty but is slightly less formal.

difficult subjects

Uses "difficult" instead of "arduous" and "subjects" instead of "courses", offering a simpler alternative.

demanding programs

Substitutes "arduous" with "demanding" and "courses" with "programs", emphasizing the intensity and rigor required.

rigorous curriculum

Replaces the phrase with a focus on the structured plan of study, highlighting its demanding nature.

strenuous coursework

Emphasizes the effort required in academic studies, using "strenuous" for intensity.

taxing modules

Focuses on individual units of study and their demanding nature.

tough academic load

Highlights the overall workload and its difficulty.

intensive studies

Refers to a concentrated and effortful period of learning.

laborious lessons

Emphasizes the effort and hard work required to understand the lessons.

formidable studies

Suggests that the studies are intimidating due to their difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "arduous courses" in a sentence?

You can use "arduous courses" to describe classes or subjects that demand a great deal of effort. For example: "The university offers a variety of "arduous courses" that require a significant commitment from students."

What is a good alternative to "arduous courses"?

Alternatives include "challenging classes", "difficult subjects", or "demanding programs", depending on the specific context.

Which is more appropriate, "arduous courses" or "challenging courses"?

"Arduous courses" implies a higher level of difficulty and effort than "challenging courses". Use "arduous" when you want to emphasize the extreme demands of the coursework.

What kind of courses are typically described as "arduous courses"?

Courses described as "arduous courses" are usually advanced-level classes, intensive training programs, or subjects that require significant dedication and hard work, such as medical school or engineering programs.