course down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "course down" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to convey a sense of moving quickly or flowing downwards, but it is not a recognized expression. Example: "The river began to course down the valley after the heavy rains."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

We follow him, slowly, of course, down from his tree and into the water, then swimming across the lagoon.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It offers a single Advanced Placement course, down from four three years back — not much of an inducement to good students.

The New York Times

BEEL BHAINA, Bangladesh — The rivers that course down from the Himalayas and into this crowded delta bring an annual tide of gift and curse.

The New York Times

Been discovered that plummet dropped down elevator shaft from top of building, doesn't follow true course down, but lands 5 1/3 inches from perpendicular at base.

The New Yorker

What especially impresses me is that if you put a map of the course down on a table and see how it's configured and laid out, the wind, no matter where it comes from, makes certain holes difficult and certain holes easier.

The New York Times

All now, of course, down in flames.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Everything comes through Atlanta: soul, rock, jazz, punk, R&B, and of course down-home blues and just southern, southern music.

The Guardian - Music

Of course, down-regulation and inhibition in the molecular world are two different things, so it is wise to make the modifications you suggested: proteasome is inhibited and not down-regulated by NFV.

F1000Research

One obvious mechanism by which this happens is genetic loss of LKB1 due to somatic mutations which, as shown in our 2003 paper [ 1], leads to failure of AMPK activation following metabolic stresses that increase AMP and ADP (loss of LKB1 would, of course, down-regulate the ARKs as well as AMPK).

BMC Biology

AUGUSTA PUTT PUTT 3763 Martinez Boulevard, Martinez, Ga., [phone]; www.augustaputtputt.com THE COURSE -- Down the road from the "other" Masters at Augusta National.

The New York Times - Travel

Q: I find the most cluttered part of my life is my calendar because it is now online and includes work and each member of my family - color coded of course - down to the dogs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the movement of liquids or other flowing substances, consider using stronger verbs like "flow", "rush", or "cascade" for more vivid imagery instead of "course down".

Common error

Avoid using "course down" in academic or professional contexts. While it may appear in some media, it is not considered standard English. Opt for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "flow down" or "run down".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "course down" functions as a phrasal verb, typically describing movement along a path, often in a downward direction. However, according to Ludwig AI, it's considered non-standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "course down" appears in various contexts, Ludwig AI indicates that it is considered non-standard English. It's used to describe movement, particularly in a downward direction. For formal writing, it's advisable to use more precise alternatives such as "flow down" or "descend along". The phrase is found most frequently in news and media sources but should be used with caution in academic or professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flow downwards

Focuses on the direction of movement rather than a structured path.

run downhill

Emphasizes movement from a higher to a lower elevation.

descend along

Highlights the act of moving downward while following a specific route.

progress along

Implies forward movement while maintaining a certain trajectory.

move downward

Simple directional movement, lacking the implication of a set route.

travel downstream

Specifically indicates movement in the direction of a water current.

make progress down

Emphasizes advancement along a downward path.

roll downwards

Describes a rotating downward movement.

cascade down

Suggests a dramatic or forceful downward flow.

sweep down

Implies a rapid, forceful downward movement.

FAQs

What does "course down" mean?

The phrase "course down" typically implies movement along a certain path, often in a downward direction, but is considered non-standard English. Consider using alternatives like "flow downwards" or "run downhill".

How can I use "course down" correctly in a sentence?

While "course down" isn't strictly incorrect, it's not the most precise or widely accepted phrase. For better clarity, use phrases like "flow down", as in 'The river flowed down the valley' or "descend along".

What are some alternatives to "course down" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can substitute "course down" with phrases such as "travel downstream" for rivers, "move downward" for general movement, or "cascade down" for waterfalls.

Is it better to use "flow down" or "course down"?

"Flow down" is generally preferred because it's a more standard and grammatically sound expression compared to "course down". "Flow down" is clear and widely understood.