course of development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'course of development' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a gradual process of growth or change that occurs over a length of time. For example, "The company has been on an upward course of development since the new CEO was hired."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Half way through the course of development the heart develops and starts to beat.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Throughout the course of development Bungie released four "developer documentaries" that explained the processes behind creating parts of the game.

Wikipedia

Histological studies have revealed the time course of development of storage product in rice developing endosperm.

Rice

Previous research suggests that children develop an increasing concern with fairness over the course of development.

Harvard University

In the course of development of the Russian State Standard GOST 18105-86 "Concrete.

Structural Safety

In the course of development, poor countries often struggle to keep spending in check.

The Economist

We need action now that publicly binds us to a course of development over time, come what may.

The New York Times

"They to some extent triggered the dangerous course of development in [Kyrgyzstan]," Borodavkin told the Associated Press news agency.

The Guardian

For multicellular eukaryotes the utilization of these sites changes during the course of development.

University of California, Berkeley

He also investigates how early experience influences the course of development.

Harvard University

In general, abnormalities can be traced to deviations from the normal course of development, often in very early embryonic stages.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "course of development" when you want to emphasize that a process is ongoing and not yet complete.

Common error

Don't assume that "course of development" only applies to living organisms; it's equally applicable to projects, economies, and ideas. Be sure your context aligns with the broader possibilities of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "course of development" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as an adverbial modifier or complement within a sentence. It describes the manner or process by which something evolves or progresses. As shown in Ludwig, it is frequently used to provide context about changes over time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

28%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "course of development" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes how something progresses over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is widespread across various domains, including science, news, and academia. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, providing contextual information about the evolution or progression of a subject. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it is most often found in neutral to formal registers. Related phrases like "developmental trajectory" and "evolutionary path" offer similar meanings but with subtle differences in emphasis. When using "course of development", be mindful of the scope of its applicability and ensure that the context aligns with the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developmental trajectory

Focuses on the path or progression of development, emphasizing direction and potential outcomes.

evolutionary path

Implies a gradual change and adaptation over time, often in a biological or societal context.

progression of growth

Highlights the increasing or expanding nature of development, focusing on quantitative changes.

unfolding process

Suggests a gradual revelation or emergence of something over time, emphasizing inherent potential.

natural progression

Highlights the inherent and spontaneous nature of the developmental process, suggesting minimal external influence.

successive stages

Emphasizes the discrete steps or phases involved in development, rather than the continuous process.

phase of expansion

Focuses on a specific period of growth and enlargement within a broader developmental context.

growth cycle

Implies a recurring pattern of growth and decline, often in a biological or economic context.

timeframe for maturation

Specifies the period required for reaching full development or maturity, emphasizing temporal constraints.

advancement timeline

Focuses on the schedule and progression of improvements and progress over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "course of development" to describe the way something progresses or evolves over time. For example, "The project changed significantly during its "course of development"".

What are some alternatives to "course of development"?

Alternatives include "developmental trajectory", "evolutionary path", or "progression of growth" depending on the specific context.

Is "course of development" formal or informal?

"Course of development" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication.

What's the difference between "course of development" and "stage of development"?

"Course of development" refers to the entire process of growth and change, while "stage of development" refers to a specific point or phase within that process.