between the courses of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "between the courses of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or action occurring in the intervals or gaps between different courses or stages of a process, event, or meal. Example: "We had a lively discussion between the courses of our dinner, sharing stories and laughter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The interval between the courses of chemotherapy was three weeks, and five courses were given.

BMC Cancer

Manufactured from the resistant layers of the tyre (metallic and textile layers), it is used as a system placed between the courses of the pavement in order to reduce the effect caused by fatigue cracking processes.

Construction and Building Materials

The deep recesses between the courses of limestone and details like the triple circular windows at the top floor — called oculi — set it apart from most Midtown mansions.

The New York Times

(Perhaps the producers thought that viewers might like to pause for a smoke, as it were, between the courses of Black Power).

The New Yorker

In the late 20th century there was a revival of the practice of serving a tart sherbet or sorbet between the courses of an elaborate meal to refresh the palate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It seems that the differences between the courses of study are significantly higher than between the types of higher education entrance qualifications (Figures 7 and 8).

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Perhaps the most telling difference between the course of the two economies comes in government consumption spending — basically spending that is not for investment, as in building roads or bombers.

The New York Times

The results do not suggest a causal relationship between the course of symptoms and neuropsychological functioning in chronic schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia Research

The relationship between the course of platelet count and prognosis in the After group is shown in Table 3.

Annals of Intensive Care

For stepwise logistic regression, there was a significant effect between grade of nerve lesion and amplitude, but no significant effect between the course of disease and electrophysiologic parameters.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

The aim of the current study was to examine the association between the course of late-life depression and feelings about God and religious coping.

The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing structured events like meals or treatments, use "between the courses of" to clearly indicate actions or occurrences during the pauses or intervals between those defined stages. For instance, "We discussed business strategy between the courses of the conference dinner."

Common error

Avoid using "between the courses of" in contexts that don't involve sequential or staged events. Overusing the phrase in unrelated situations can sound unnatural. Instead, use more generic terms like "during", "while", or "in the interval" for general references to time or action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "between the courses of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate the timing or location of an event within a sequence. It provides context by specifying that something occurs during the intervals separating distinct stages or items.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "between the courses of" is a prepositional phrase used to specify the timing or location of actions within a structured sequence of events, typically in a neutral to formal register. Ludwig AI highlights its primary function in providing context to where something happened in relation to distinct parts of a larger process, such as a meal, treatment, or study. While grammatically correct and appropriate, the phrase is relatively rare. Related phrases, such as "during the intervals between" or "in the gaps between", can serve as alternatives in different contexts. When using the phrase, ensure it is in a situation of staged events, to avoid misinterpretations. It is particularly suited for science, news & media and encyclopedia contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the intervals between

This alternative focuses on the time separating distinct events, similar to the query but emphasizing temporal spacing.

in the gaps between

This alternative emphasizes the existence of spaces or voids separating elements, conveying a similar meaning of separation.

in the interim between

This phrase highlights the intervening time period, suggesting a temporary state between defined events.

at the juncture of

This emphasizes the point of connection or transition between distinct items or points in time.

in the period separating

This highlights the duration of the separating time, giving the sense of length between two distinct occurrences.

during the break between

This refers to a pause or rest between activities, similar to an interval.

among the stages of

This refers to something being distributed within various steps or phases in a more continuous process.

within the phases of

This suggests inclusion within different parts of a whole process, indicating an embedding within particular stages.

in the transition from

This emphasizes the shift or change between distinct items, indicating a dynamic movement between them.

spanning the period between

This highlights how something stretches or exists across the duration separating the distinct items, emphasizing continuity.

FAQs

How can I use "between the courses of" in a sentence?

Use "between the courses of" to describe something that happens during the intervals or pauses in a structured sequence of events, such as a meal or a treatment. Example: "The negotiations took place between the courses of the summit lunch."

What phrases are similar to "between the courses of"?

Similar phrases include "during the intervals between", "in the gaps between", and "in the interim between", all indicating something occurring in the time or space separating events.

Is "between the courses of" formal or informal?

"Between the courses of" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is most appropriate when describing a structured sequence of events. A more casual context might use alternatives like "during the breaks" or "in between events".

Can I use "between the courses of" to describe any kind of pause?

While "between the courses of" can refer to any pause, it is most fitting when describing a break between specific, sequentially-ordered activities or stages. Using "during the pause" or "in the interruption" might be more suitable for less structured situations.