course of life

USAGE SUMMARY

"course of life" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an individual's path in life or their journey. For example, "I'm trying to find my place in the course of life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Similarly, the course of life itself is by no means inevitable.

The Economist

Its steady diminution seems deliberate, seems to suggest something — the course of life?

The New Yorker

The course of life is circular, not straight: the linear is ultimately also the cyclical.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the course of life there comes a time when you have to make a decision".

The New York Times

In the normal course of life a creature's cells must be constantly dividing — millions of times a second.

The New York Times - Health

Old age is no doubt filled with many challenges — but so are other eras in the course of life.

The New York Times

The owner can vary the amount of death protection as the need for it changes in the course of life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The regular Neediest Cases Fund seeks to help people whose poverty arises in the ordinary course of life".

The New York Times

The findings have even inspired speculation about another possible extraterrestrial influence on the course of life on Earth.

The New York Times - Science

Because of the scarcity of fossils from the era, scientists cannot say how the cataclysm changed the course of life.

The New York Times

But philosophy, Rosenzweig claims, cannot wait for wonder to resolve itself in the course of life.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "course of life" when discussing the general progression and experiences someone encounters, rather than specific daily routines.

Common error

Avoid substituting "course of life" with "way of life" when referring to general progression and experiences. "Way of life" describes lifestyle or habits, not the overall life journey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "course of life" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It refers to the progression and experiences encountered during a person's existence, functioning similarly across many of the examples shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "course of life" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe the entirety of an individual's existence and experiences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts. Its frequency is very common, appearing in diverse sources such as news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "life's journey" and "life's path" exist, "course of life" provides a neutral to formal tone, suitable for both general discussions and specialized analyses of the human experience. Pay attention not to confuse it with "way of life", which describes lifestyle or habits.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

life's journey

Focuses on the metaphorical aspect of life as a journey, highlighting experiences and progress.

life's path

Emphasizes the direction and choices made during someone's existence.

the journey of life

Similar to "life's journey" but uses a more elaborate structure.

lifetime

Refers to the duration of a person's life, often used when referring to experiences within that timeframe.

the stream of life

Emphasizes the continuous flow of events and experiences.

existence

A more general term referring to the state of being alive, encompassing all aspects of life.

life span

Highlights the length of time someone is alive, with a focus on the beginning and end.

the human experience

Broadens the scope to include common emotions, challenges, and events encountered by people.

the way of life

Refers to one's general style of living or habitual conduct.

one's pilgrimage

Highlights a spiritual or meaningful quest throughout life.

FAQs

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

You can use "course of life" to describe someone's journey or the events that happen during their lifetime. For example, "In the "course of life", everyone faces challenges."

What's a good alternative to "course of life"?

Alternatives to "course of life" include "life's journey", "life's path", or "lifetime", depending on the specific context.

Is "path of life" the same as "course of life"?

"Path of life" and "course of life" are similar and often interchangeable. However, "path of life" might suggest a more directed or chosen route, while ""course of life"" can imply a more general flow of events.

How does the "course of life" influence personal development?

The "course of life", with its experiences and challenges, significantly shapes personal development, influencing values, beliefs, and coping mechanisms. Each stage and event contributes to who a person becomes.