course of affairs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "course of affairs" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered awkward or incorrect.
It can be used when discussing the progression or development of events or situations, but "course of events" is more standard. Example: "The unexpected changes in the course of affairs led to a reevaluation of our strategy."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Theirs was a world where the supernatural was simply accepted as part of the normal course of affairs.

The Guardian

Disparate Materials outlining the course of affairs in this complex project which attempted to unite the two groups.

Cornell University

"It's certainly something quite different from the usual course of affairs, particularly for someone going through it for the first time.

The Washington Post

In the normal course of affairs, Dr. Hoffman said, Wernicke's area receives information from a variety of nearby brain areas and distant structures like Broca's.

The New York Times - Science

The nature of the market is as follows: In the ordinary course of affairs, an Italian, for example, acquiring dollars—say from exports or from a legacy would sell these dollars for his own currency.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He argued that "the course of affairs will simply be that there will be ever larger and larger classes and groups of people from whom problems of economic necessity have been practically removed".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The initial move into the Antipodes was a momentous shift in the course of human affairs.

Encyclopedia of Archaeology

Over the centuries the university has turned out countless graduates who have shaped the course of human affairs in almost every realm.

Cathedrals of Learning Great and Ancient Universities of Western Europe

As she put it in her book, a wicked bug has "to change the course of human affairs".

The New York Times

Only in 1972, after the Australian Labour party won the general election, was the course of indigenous affairs reversed.

The Guardian

How does it affect the course of foreign affairs independent of the distribution of power and foreign policy interests?

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "course of affairs", consider if "course of events" might be a clearer and more widely accepted alternative.

Common error

Avoid using "course of affairs" in very informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or stiff. Opt for simpler phrases like "how things are going" or "what's happening" in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "course of affairs" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the general way in which events are progressing or developing. As Ludwig suggests, this phrasing is sometimes considered awkward and "course of events" is more standard.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

29%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "course of affairs" is a noun phrase used to describe the progression or development of events. While grammatically acceptable, it's less common than "course of events". Ludwig suggests that "course of events" is the more standard choice. It tends to appear in neutral to formal contexts, such as news articles, academic papers, and encyclopedias. When writing, consider whether the more common "course of events" or a synonym like "state of affairs" might be a better fit. While correct, the phrase might be less impactful than alternatives for some audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

state of affairs

Focuses on the current condition or situation, rather than the progression.

course of events

More common and emphasizes the sequence of occurrences.

chain of events

Highlights the interconnectedness and sequence of occurrences.

turn of events

Indicates an unexpected or significant change in the situation.

progression of events

Emphasizes the step-by-step advancement of the situation.

sequence of events

Stresses the order in which things happen.

flow of events

Suggests a continuous and smooth movement of happenings.

development of the situation

Highlights how a situation unfolds and evolves.

way things are

A more casual way to describe the present circumstances.

how things stand

Describes the current situation or position of matters.

FAQs

What does "course of affairs" mean?

The phrase "course of affairs" refers to the way events happen or develop over time. It's similar to saying "the way things are going" or "the progression of events".

Is "course of affairs" formal?

While not strictly formal, "course of affairs" tends to appear in more formal writing and speech. Alternatives like "how things stand" or "state of affairs" may be more appropriate in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "course of affairs" and "state of affairs"?

"Course of affairs" implies a progression or development over time, while "state of affairs" focuses on the current situation or condition. The "course" emphasizes the journey, and the "state" highlights the present moment.

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

You can use "course of affairs" to describe how things are unfolding. For example: "The unexpected changes in the "course of affairs" led to a reevaluation of our strategy."