completed a course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completed a course" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the successful finishing of an educational program or class. Example: "After months of hard work, I finally completed a course in advanced mathematics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Hills kids completed a course of antibiotics and were released from isolation Tuesday.

The Washington Post

After one sentence Jonathan completed a course with Norforce, the predominantly Indigenous north Australian military regiment.

The Guardian

He had, however, recently completed a course of radiotherapy to treat prostate cancer.

The Guardian

Just because you've completed a course doesn't mean you can cook".

The New York Times - Food

A friend whose wife had just completed a course of chemotherapy had warned me about this.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Technicians there had just completed a course in identifying bio-warfare diseases.

The Economist

In 1990, he completed a course of advanced study in film.

The New York Times

He recently completed a course in phlebotomy so that he can draw blood from patients.

The New York Times

He had completed a course in Latin and was studying Hebrew.

The New York Times

Having completed a course about how to read and use research was not associated with self-reported research utilization.

Nurse Education Today

Recently, we completed a course in feminist criticism because I want them to understand when the media is manipulative.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "completed a course", ensure it's followed by specifics about the course, its subject, or its outcome. This provides context and value to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using phrases like "successfully completed a course" unless success is in question. "Completed a course" already implies successful completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completed a course" functions as a verb phrase, typically part of a clause where it serves as the predicate, indicating the action of finishing a specific program of study. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase effectively conveys the successful conclusion of a course.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completed a course" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the successful finishing of an educational or training program. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, from news articles to scientific publications. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science sources, indicating its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure to provide specifics about the course for better context. While "finished a course" is a direct synonym, "completed a course" may convey a slightly more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finished a course

This is a direct synonym, using "finished" instead of "completed".

passed a course

This indicates that the course was not only finished, but also successfully passed.

concluded a course

Replaces "completed" with "concluded", suggesting a formal end to the course.

undertook a course

Replaces "completed" with "undertook", implying involvement and effort in the course.

took a course

Uses "took" instead of "completed", focusing on participation.

went through a course

This suggests experiencing the full duration of the course.

attended a course

This focuses more on the act of being present in the course, though it implies finishing it.

graduated from a course

Implies a more formal type of course, similar to a degree program.

earned a course

Suggests the course completion was due to effort and deserves recognition.

achieved a course

Focuses on gaining something valuable from the course, rather than just finishing it.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "completed a course"?

You can use alternatives like "finished a course", "undertook a course", or "passed a course" depending on the context.

How to use "completed a course" in a sentence?

You can use "completed a course" to describe someone finishing an educational program. For example, "He completed a course in advanced mathematics last year".

Is it better to say "finished a course" or "completed a course"?

Both "finished a course" and "completed a course" are correct and widely used. "Completed" may sound slightly more formal than "finished", but they are largely interchangeable.

What does it mean when someone has "completed a course"?

It means the person has successfully finished all the requirements of a particular program of study or training. This typically involves attending classes, completing assignments, and passing any required tests or assessments.