be on course for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be on course for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is progressing towards a specific goal or outcome. Example: "The team is on course for completing the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

TV hosts Ant and Dec, who could be on course for their first number one single, resumed their musical activities "for a laugh", they said today.

Independent

Fourth set: Federer* 3-3 Nadal; Nadaleadsds by two sets to one At 40-15, Federer looks to be on course for three-all.

The Guardian - Sport

With Fulham in the ascendancy it looked like the visitors could be on course for a thrashing similar to the one they received on their last trip to Craven Cottage, where Fulham's 6-0 win on the final day of the 2004/05 season condemned the Canaries to relegation.

Independent

Using the average of the latest opinion poll results, including the Opinium/Observer poll carried out after the antisemitism row last week, Steve Fisher, of Oxford University, one of the country's leading elections experts, predicts that Labour could be on course for losses of 175 local council seats, while the Conservatives could gain 30.

The Guardian

Without him United would be on course for humiliation.

The Guardian - Sport

England will be on course for much greater things if they can win.

Independent

The deal was initially thought to be on course for completion last month.

The New York Times - Sports

If enough Nigerians agree, then Nigeria could be on course for a new government after 16 years of PDP rule.

Independent

These two could well be on course for the play-off final at Wembley on 24 May.

The Guardian - Sport

Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova may be on course for democratic reform but Belarus and Azerbaijan stand out as highly repressive regimes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I'm focused on being at my very best so I can be on-course for that gold medal, but we'll be realistic when the time comes".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be on course for" when you want to emphasize the expected trajectory towards a particular outcome, especially when progress is being made as planned.

Common error

Avoid using "be on course for" when the outcome is highly uncertain or speculative. It suggests a reasonable expectation of success, not just a possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be on course for" primarily functions as a predicate describing the state of progress toward a specific goal or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly conveys that something or someone is progressing as planned. Examples from Ludwig illustrate usage in various scenarios, from sports to business.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be on course for" is a versatile expression used to indicate progress toward a specific goal or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, sports, and business contexts. While it's a useful phrase, it's important to consider the level of certainty implied and avoid using it when the outcome is highly speculative. Alternatives like ""be on track for"" or "be heading towards" may be suitable depending on the specific context. Given the phrase's frequency and clear meaning, it remains a valuable tool for expressing expected outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be on track for

Uses "track" instead of "course", implying a similar but slightly more linear progression.

be heading towards

Focuses on direction and movement toward a destination.

be progressing towards

Emphasizes the act of making progress toward something.

be moving towards

Similar to "heading towards", but can imply a slower pace.

be advancing toward

Suggests a more deliberate and strategic movement.

be set to

Indicates a high probability of achieving something.

be poised to

Suggests readiness and anticipation of achieving something.

be destined for

Implies a predetermined outcome or fate.

be in line for

Indicates being in a favorable position to receive something.

be working toward

Emphasizes the effort being made to achieve a goal.

FAQs

How can I use "be on course for" in a sentence?

You can use "be on course for" to describe progress towards a goal. For example, "The project is "be on course for" completion by the end of the year".

What's a synonym for "be on course for"?

A close synonym for "be on course for" is "be on track for". Both phrases indicate that something is progressing as expected toward a specific goal.

Is it appropriate to use "be on course for" in formal writing?

Yes, "be on course for" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in business, news, and academic contexts. It conveys a clear and professional tone.

How does "be on course for" differ from "hope to"?

"Be on course for" suggests a degree of certainty based on current progress, whereas "hope to" simply expresses a desire or aspiration, without implying any specific progress. The team is "be on course for" winning the championship implies a high probability based on their performance; the team hopes to win simply expresses a desire.