course of

USAGE SUMMARY

"course of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is continuing in a particular direction or is following a particular line of thought. For example, "The course of the conversation changed when I mentioned his ex-wife."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of course, of course, of course.

The New York Times - Style

I speak, of course, of Grimsby.

Independent

He changed the course of history.

Independent

For perverting the course of justice, perhaps?

The Economist

(He dies, of course, of cancer).

The New Yorker

I'm thinking, of course, of Elaine May.

The New Yorker

In the course of Foreign Svc.

The New Yorker

He predicted the course of the day.

The New York Times

The course of schizophrenia is variable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The course of yellow fever is rapid.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Everyone would prefer that course of action.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "course of" to describe the natural progression or development of events, actions, or processes over time. This helps to provide context and indicate how things unfold.

Common error

Avoid confusing "course of" with "cause of". "Cause of" indicates the reason why something happened, while "course of" refers to the way something progresses or unfolds. For example, say "the course of treatment", not "the cause of treatment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "course of" typically functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the manner, direction, or progression in which something occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, showing examples where it connects a process with its unfolding, as seen in "the course of the disease" or "the course of action".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

31%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "course of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the progression or manner in which something unfolds. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability across varied contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific writing, with neutral formality. To avoid errors, remember to differentiate it from "cause of". Alternatives include "progression of" and "sequence of", depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. With a high expert rating, this phrase is a reliable component of effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progression of

Replaces "course" with "progression", emphasizing the sequential nature of events.

sequence of

Highlights the ordered arrangement of events, similar to a structured plan.

series of

Focuses on a set of related events or actions that follow one after another.

path of

Implies a specific route or direction taken during a process or event.

trajectory of

Suggests a projected route or development, often used in scientific or abstract contexts.

development of

Emphasizes the evolution or growth process over time.

duration of

Highlights the length of time over which something occurs.

period of

Focuses on a specific segment of time within a larger process.

process of

Emphasizes the steps involved in achieving a particular outcome.

unfolding of

Describes how events gradually reveal themselves or become known.

FAQs

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

The phrase "course of" is used to describe the way something progresses or unfolds over time. For example, "The "course of the disease" is variable" or "His "course of action" seemed clear.

What are some alternatives to "course of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "progression of", "sequence of", or "development of".

Is it correct to say "in the duration of" instead of "in the course of"?

While "in the duration of" might be technically correct in some contexts, "in the "course of"" is a more common and natural way to express that something happens over a period of time. "Duration" refers more strictly to the length of something.

What's the difference between "course of events" and "series of events"?

While both phrases refer to happenings, "course of events" implies a natural or logical progression, while "series of events" simply indicates a sequence without necessarily implying a causal relationship.