depends on the course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "depends on the course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or outcome that is contingent upon the specific course of action or events being considered. Example: "The success of the project depends on the course we choose to take moving forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

However, this depends on the course.

Independent

It depends on the course a student is interested in.

The Guardian

It depends on the course that you want to study.

Independent

"What role you play, whether you're forced to play roles, depends on the course of events".

The New York Times

This, in turn depends on the course of home prices, loan losses and the ability of financial firms to raise capital.

The Economist

Oxford University law professor Adrian Zuckerman said he has committed to teaching up to 20 hours "but the exact number depends on the course programme which is yet to be finally agreed".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Tertiary education varies from one to seven years depending on the course.

Language Testing in Asia

It will depend on the course, he added, though it is not easy to imagine one that would not suit him.

The Guardian - Sport

International fees cost up to £14,000 depending on the course.

The Guardian

Marjon currently charges £2,300 or £2,825, depending on the course.

The Guardian

Where stocks go from here will, of course, depend on the course of the economy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "depends on the course", ensure that the specific course or type of course is clearly defined or easily understood from the context. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands what the outcome is contingent upon.

Common error

Avoid using "depends on the course" without providing any context or examples of how the course influences the outcome. Without sufficient information, the statement becomes vague and unhelpful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depends on the course" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating a condition or contingency. It specifies that a particular outcome or characteristic is contingent upon the specific course being referred to, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "depends on the course" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that an outcome or characteristic is contingent upon the specific academic course in question. As Ludwig highlights, it is grammatically correct and can be used across various contexts, especially within news, academic, and scientific domains. While the phrase is simple and direct, it's essential to provide enough context to avoid vagueness. Related phrases like "hinges on the curriculum" and "is determined by the program" offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings. Remember to use it judiciously, ensuring clarity and avoiding overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hinges on the curriculum

Changes the verb to "hinges on" to emphasize reliance and replaces "course" with "curriculum" to focus on the educational content.

is reliant on the curriculum

Uses "reliant on" instead of "depends on", putting more emphasis on the fact of needing or depending on something.

is determined by the program

Shifts from "depends" to "is determined by", suggesting a more definitive influence from the "program" of study.

is subject to the syllabus

Replaces "depends" with "is subject to", indicating a condition of being affected by the syllabus, which is a detailed course outline.

is conditional on the subject

Uses "conditional on" to highlight a conditionality based on the specific "subject" being studied.

is contingent on the training

Substitutes "depends" with "is contingent on", stressing dependence, and replaces "course" with "training" to focus on skill development.

varies with the module

Replaces "depends" with "varies with" to suggest fluctuation, and uses "module" to specify a unit within a course.

is a function of the study plan

Uses "is a function of" to imply a mathematical relationship and replaces "course" with "study plan" to refer to the schedule of academic activities.

is relative to the coursework

Changes "depends" to "is relative to" to suggest a proportional relationship and uses "coursework" to encompass all work required in a course.

is governed by the discipline

Replaces "depends" with "is governed by", indicating a controlling influence from the academic "discipline".

FAQs

How can I use "depends on the course" in a sentence?

You can use "depends on the course" to indicate that a particular outcome, requirement, or characteristic is contingent upon the specific course being taken. For instance, "The difficulty of the exam "depends on the course" you're enrolled in".

What are some alternatives to "depends on the course"?

Alternatives include phrases like "hinges on the curriculum", "is subject to the syllabus", or "is determined by the program", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "depending on the course" or "it depends on the course"?

Both "depending on the course" and "it depends on the course" are grammatically correct, but they function differently. "Depending on the course" is often used as an introductory phrase or part of a longer sentence, while "it depends on the course" is a complete sentence offering a direct answer.

What does it mean when something "depends on the course"?

When something ""depends on the course"", it means that its nature, extent, or outcome is determined or significantly influenced by the specific characteristics, content, or requirements of the academic course in question.