chart a course of action

USAGE SUMMARY

"chart a course of action" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to explain the need for a plan of action in order to achieve a desired outcome. For example, "In order to reach our goal of reducing our carbon footprint by 60%, we must chart a course of action that includes expanding our renewable energy portfolio."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The United Nations will hold a high-level meeting this week to chart a course of action for coming years.

The New York Times

I would also consider hiring an outside consultant who can gather honest feedback and begin to chart a course of action for moving forward.

The New York Times

All great cultures have used strategic narratives to frame a unique view of the world, articulate a clear vision for a better tomorrow and chart a course of action that supports their aspirations and beliefs.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As a chart for a course of action, this assumption is highly dangerous.

The New Yorker

Group leaders Ms. Leslie Radcliffe and Mr. Jose Leyedra charted out a course of action for the summer, which will begin next Wednesday with some weeding and mulching.

Yale University

The journey: The road trip for this individual will involve a great deal of investigation, research, questioning, discussion and testing out, before the journey even begins and before a course of action can be charted.

Forbes

As Mr. Barak struggled to chart a course of military action in Lebanon that would not harm prospects for further negotiations with Syria, he tried to shore up his diplomatic flank with a short visit to Jordan and a meeting with King Abdullah.

The New York Times

and recommend a course of action.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Status quo: continuing a course of action because of tradition.

City, Territory and Architecture

In a June 18 , 1965 internal memo, Ball proposed increasing the number of American troops in Vietnam to 100,000 for three months to "appraise the costs and possibilities of waging a successful land war in South Vietnam and chart a clear course of action".

The New York Times

Let us go back in time for a minute: more than just a legal framework, the Oslo Accords were to many a realization of a long time human desire - that by the power of our hearts, our passion for a different future, we will be able to chart a viable course of action and reshape reality as we knew it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chart a course of action" when the plan requires careful navigation through multiple steps or potential challenges. It emphasizes a deliberate and thoughtful approach.

Common error

Don't use "chart a course of action" without specifying what the action is meant to achieve. Vague uses dilute the phrase's impact and leave the audience unclear about the plan's purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chart a course of action" functions as a verbal phrase that describes the process of planning or strategizing a method to achieve a particular goal. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chart a course of action" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing the creation of a strategic plan, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears most frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. While alternatives like "develop a plan of action" and "formulate a strategy" exist, it is important to specify the goal of the action to avoid vagueness and ensure clarity in communication. The limited number of examples shows it's an uncommon phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop a plan of action

Focuses on the creation of a detailed plan.

formulate a strategy

Emphasizes strategic thinking and planning.

devise a strategy

Stresses the inventive aspect of creating a plan.

establish a roadmap

Uses a visual metaphor for planning a series of steps.

set out a plan

Highlights the act of presenting or detailing a plan.

determine the best course

Focuses on identifying the optimal path or direction.

lay out a strategy

Implies a clear and detailed presentation of a strategy.

outline a plan

Suggests providing a summary of the key elements of a plan.

establish guidelines

Focuses on setting up a framework for action.

define a process

Highlights creating a structured series of steps to achieve a goal.

FAQs

How can I use "chart a course of action" in a sentence?

You can use "chart a course of action" to describe the process of creating a detailed plan to achieve a specific goal. For example, "The company needs to "develop a plan of action" to reduce its carbon footprint."

What are some alternatives to "chart a course of action"?

Alternatives include "formulate a strategy", "establish a roadmap", or "determine the best course", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "chart a course of action" formal or informal?

"Chart a course of action" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for business, academic, and professional contexts. It is less common in casual conversation.

What does it mean to "chart a course of action"?

To "chart a course of action" means to carefully plan and decide on the steps needed to achieve a specific goal or objective. It implies a deliberate and strategic approach.