at the first course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the first course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the initial stage or part of a meal, event, or process. Example: "At the first course, we served a light salad to stimulate the appetite."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

These relationships: I-you distant provider dominance, I-you blurred sympathy, and I-you sorted mutuality were presented at the first course afternoon.

BMC Family Practice

To get used to noticing and reporting incidents and to become aware of the importance of reporting, each participant received ten pocket-size reporting cards at the first course meeting.

BMC Health Services Research

Näppä et al. reported that 47.0% of patients who received chemotherapy within the last month were given first line palliative chemotherapy, 20% of these even at the first course of first line [ 14].

BMC Palliative Care

At each course, the percentage of the projected irinotecan dose actually administered was 90.0% at the first course, 89.5% at the second course, and 78.5% at the third course.

British Journal of Cancer

The mean delay between diagnosis and the first CE course was 155 days (range 23 432 days), and the mean age at the first course of CE was 155 days (range 50 490 days).

British Journal of Cancer

Indeed, the results of this clinical trial show that NK105 can be administered safely as a short infusion (1 h) without the administration of antiallergic agents like dexamethasone and antihistamine, although one patient at 180 mg m−2 developed transient grade 2 hypersensitivity at the first course.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Consider serving steamed, grilled, or roasted asparagus as the first course at dinner.

WikiHow

Now [staff] are more at ease: the first course is in basic communication skills - reading and writing but also speaking and listening - and I think that's worked".

The Guardian

We guarantee, as always, that all our listees are completely unattached and willing to sit through at least the first course of dinner or Act I of a play.

The New Yorker

At 8 25, the first course goes out.

Huffington Post

Even though the learning curve of MATLAB is moderate, students at the first courses of the new Bologna degrees usually find some difficulties when trying to apply their knowledge of this software package to other technical subjects.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the first course" in medical or scientific writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to the initial course of treatment, a course of study, or something else entirely. Clarity is key for avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "at the first course" when you mean something else like "during the first year of study" or "in the initial phase of treatment". Be precise in your language to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the first course" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically serving as an adverbial modifier. It indicates the time or point at which something occurs, specifying the initial stage or part of a sequence, treatment, or meal. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the first course" is a prepositional phrase used to denote the initial stage or beginning of a sequence, whether it's a treatment, a meal, or a study. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While found across multiple domains, it's most common in scientific and news contexts. To ensure clarity, it's important to be precise about what "course" refers to, avoiding ambiguity, especially in technical writing. Related alternatives like "during the initial course" or "in the beginning course" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the initial course

Focuses on the timing within the first course, using "during" instead of "at".

in the beginning course

Highlights the starting point of a course, substituting "at" with "in" and "first" with "beginning".

with the first course

Indicates accompaniment or association with the first course, using "with" to show a connection.

upon starting the course

Emphasizes the commencement of the course, replacing "at the first" with "upon starting".

early in the course

Focuses on the early stages of the course, using "early in" instead of specifying the "first" course.

when the course begins

Highlights the starting time of the course, shifting the focus to the beginning.

at the introductory stage

Generalizes to the introductory phase, avoiding specific mention of a "course".

in the first installment

Refers to the first part of something presented in segments, like a series or a treatment.

at the opening session

Focuses on the initial session or meeting of the course.

during the preliminary part

Emphasizes the initial or preparatory section, moving away from the "course" context.

FAQs

How can I use "at the first course" in a sentence?

You can use "at the first course" to refer to the beginning or initial stage of something, such as a meal, a series of treatments, or a program. For example, "At the first course, we served a light salad."

What are some alternatives to "at the first course"?

Some alternatives include "during the initial course", "in the beginning course", or "early in the course", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in the first course" instead of "at the first course"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "in the first course" may be more appropriate when referring to the contents or specific elements within that course, while "at the first course" emphasizes the timing or occurrence during that part of the meal or program.

What's the difference between "at the first course" and "at the second course"?

"At the first course" refers to the initial stage, while "at the second course" refers to the subsequent or following stage. The distinction is simply about the sequence or order being discussed.