course of inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "course of inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a systematic investigation or examination of a particular subject or issue. Example: "The researchers embarked on a rigorous course of inquiry to uncover the underlying causes of the phenomenon."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Recipients design their own course of inquiry and need not be pursuing a degree.

The New York Times

Williamson pursues an oddly relentless course of inquiry, tying Borges's literary efforts to some personal angst, often romantic.

The New Yorker

The concentration enables students to frame an important problem and shape a systematic course of inquiry, employing analytical methods and substantive theories drawn from the three fields.

Yale University

Critics of the canal, which was built in the mid-1960s by the Corps of Engineers, blame it for weakening the Louisiana coastline and so allowing the storm to overwhelm the levees and flood barriers.Occasionally Mr Shearer strays from this course of inquiry.

The Economist

But it is not important, in this case, to pursue that course of inquiry; since, in matters of taxation, it is sufficient that the party assessed should have an opportunity to be heard, either before a judicial tribunal, or before a board of assessment, at some stage of the proceedings.

Cornell University

This goal should be pursued for its own sake, since other ends may distract us from the course of inquiry.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

As competition commissioner, Ms. Kroes held meetings in Brussels with global celebrities like the Apple chief executive Steven P. Jobs in the course of inquiries into hurdles that domestic copyright laws presented in the purchase of online music.

The New York Times

As competition commissioner, Ms. Kroes held meetings in Brussels with global celebrities like the Apple chief executive, Steven P. Jobs, and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, in the course of inquiries into hurdles that domestic copyright laws presented in the purchase of online music.

The New York Times - Tech

Of course, this line of inquiry leads eventually to the scary, cosmic questions: Who gets to decide what subway lines are named, anyway?

The New York Times

Researchers took pains to explain the limitations of their study and make good recommendations for improvement, further courses of inquiry and necessary steps that can be taken to address what is clearly a significant problem in our story-telling, especially for children.

Huffington Post

"Nothing I said turned the course of that inquiry," said Johnson.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "course of inquiry", ensure that the context clearly indicates a deliberate and structured investigation. This phrase is best suited for describing formal research, academic studies, or official investigations.

Common error

Avoid using "course of inquiry" in casual or conversational settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "investigation" or "study" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "course of inquiry" functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a preposition (e.g., "in the course of"). As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a structured and systematic process of investigation, study, or examination.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "course of inquiry" is a noun phrase denoting a systematic and structured investigation, commonly found in formal contexts such as academia, news, and science. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe a deliberate and methodical approach to examining a particular subject or issue. While grammatically correct, it's best reserved for formal settings, avoiding overuse in casual conversation. Alternatives like ""line of investigation"" or ""path of exploration"" may be more appropriate in less formal scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

line of investigation

Focuses on the investigative aspect, suggesting a specific path being followed.

path of exploration

Emphasizes the exploratory nature of the investigation.

research direction

Highlights the orientation or focus of the research effort.

avenue of research

Suggests a particular channel or method for conducting research.

methodological approach

Stresses the systematic and structured aspect of the investigation.

investigative process

Focuses on the step-by-step nature of the inquiry.

systematic examination

Emphasizes the comprehensive and organized nature of the analysis.

study framework

Highlights the overall structure and organization of a study.

analytical procedure

Refers to the specific steps and techniques used in analysis.

mode of investigation

Indicates a particular style or method of conducting an investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "course of inquiry" to describe a structured investigation, such as "The researchers embarked on a rigorous "course of inquiry" to determine the root causes of the problem."

What phrases are similar to "course of inquiry"?

Similar phrases include "line of investigation", "path of exploration", or "research direction", each emphasizing different aspects of the investigation.

When is it appropriate to use "course of inquiry" instead of a simpler term like "investigation"?

"Course of inquiry" is best used when you want to emphasize the systematic and methodical nature of the investigation. Simpler terms are suitable for less formal contexts.

What is the difference between "course of inquiry" and "process of inquiry"?

"Course of inquiry" suggests a planned route or direction that an inquiry follows, while "process of inquiry" emphasizes the steps and stages involved in the investigation. The former highlights direction, the latter emphasizes procedure.