course of events

USAGE SUMMARY

'course of events' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a sequence of activities, events, decisions, etc. that make up a situation. Example sentence: The course of events leading up to the accident was still under investigation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How did the ideas change in the course of events?

The Guardian - Books

This course of events is by no means assured.

The New York Times

How else to explain the course of events?

The New York Times - Health

"It was all in the natural course of events".

The New York Times

"Understanding the course of events will take years and years.

The New York Times

Hurricane Matthew has disrupted the expected course of events.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is not the regular course of events.

The Guardian

The actual course of events has been different.

The Guardian - Books

"It was crazy, a crazy course of events," Durant said.

The New York Times - Sports

The course of events is not always so happy, unfortunately.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the ordinary course of events, Maryland would hold him until he completed his sentence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events, consider using alternative phrases like "sequence of events" or "chain of events" for a more nuanced description.

Common error

Reserve "course of events" for situations with a degree of complexity or significance. Overusing it in simple, everyday scenarios can sound unnatural and stilted. Opt for simpler descriptions when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "course of events" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. For example, "Understanding the course of events will take years".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Huffington Post

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "course of events" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe a sequence of happenings. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. When writing, remember that "course of events" works best when analyzing past situations or in formal contexts and has alternatives like "sequence of events" that might fit better depending on the context. Avoiding overly simplistic contexts is also key to sounding professional and precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sequence of events

Emphasizes the order in which events occur.

chain of events

Highlights the interconnectedness of events, where one leads to another.

series of incidents

Focuses on specific occurrences within a broader context.

succession of happenings

Stresses the chronological order of occurrences.

progression of incidents

Highlights the gradual unfolding of events.

unfolding of circumstances

Implies a gradual revelation of details within a situation.

development of affairs

Focuses on how a situation evolves or progresses.

flow of incidents

Suggests a continuous and connected stream of occurrences.

march of history

Implies a grand and inevitable progression of historical events.

historical process

Refers to long-term trends and developments in history.

FAQs

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

You can use "course of events" to describe a series of actions or incidents. For example, "The investigation aims to determine the "course of events" leading up to the accident".

What are some alternatives to "course of events"?

Alternatives include "sequence of events", "chain of events", or "series of incidents", depending on the specific context.

Is "course of event" grammatically correct?

No, the correct phrase is ""course of events"" (plural). "Course of event" is not grammatically standard.

In what situations is "course of events" most appropriate?

"Course of events" is best used when describing a linked progression of occurrences, often with implications for understanding cause and effect or predicting future outcomes. It is a more formal option compared to alternatives like "what happened".