develop a course of action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop a course of action" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing planning or strategizing steps to achieve a specific goal or address a problem. Example: "After analyzing the situation, we need to develop a course of action to improve our sales performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Often, with the aid of a specially trained mediator, the victim and the offender develop a course of action that allows the offender to right the wrong caused by the crime.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Security Council gave Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon 15 days to develop a course of action for UN presence in the country.

Vice

It is up to you to develop a course of action that will move you through the loss to a healthy and happy state of being.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The app, developed in conjunction with medics for the UN agency Unicef then recommends a course of action, if any, for the mother and her unborn child.

BBC

That makes the danger of online communities all the more clear; The hidden meanings and regularity of these hashtags is hard to chart, so it's equally hard to develop an effective course of action against them.

Vice

This will help you better develop an appropriate course of action for limiting video game time.

WikiHow

One way of facilitating this is by developing recommendations that are transparently produced through a process that is user-friendly, weighs up multiple concepts when formulating a course of action (much as the clinician does for an individual patient), and provides clear advice on the confidence or uncertainty associated with the recommended course of action.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Unless poetry counts as a course of action.

The New York Times

That knowledge helps him choose a course of action.

The New York Times

They will decide on a course of action soon.

The New York Times

Status quo: continuing a course of action because of tradition.

City, Territory and Architecture

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "develop a course of action", ensure the context clearly indicates who is responsible for the development and what the intended outcome should be. For example, specify 'the team must develop a course of action' to improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "develop a course of action" without outlining subsequent steps or expected results. To enhance the impact, specify the actionable steps derived from the course of action, such as 'implement weekly progress meetings' or 'revise budget allocations'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop a course of action" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe the process of creating a plan or strategy. It indicates an action-oriented approach to solving a problem or achieving a goal. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "develop a course of action" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, indicating the process of creating a plan or strategy to achieve a goal or address a problem. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is versatile, finding its place in various contexts, from news and media to scientific research and personal problem-solving. While the phrase is clear and useful, remember to clearly articulate who is responsible for the development and specify the actionable steps involved. Alternatives include phrases like "formulate a strategy" or "establish a plan", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formulate a strategy

Focuses on detailed planning and strategy creation, implying a structured approach.

establish a plan

Highlights setting up or creating a structured plan or set of steps.

devise a strategy

Emphasizes inventive and strategic planning to achieve a goal.

craft a solution

Focuses on creating a resolution to a specific problem or challenge.

map out a plan

Implies detailing the different elements of the plan and steps to be taken.

design an approach

Highlights the creation of a specific method or way of dealing with a problem.

chart a course

Suggests plotting a direction or route to follow, often used in a broader or more figurative context.

outline a method

Focuses on the detailed description of steps required to perform something.

conceive a plan

Highlights the initial creation or idea of a strategic plan.

work out a solution

Implies a process of figuring out or calculating a method to solve a problem.

FAQs

How can I use "develop a course of action" in a sentence?

You can use "develop a course of action" to describe the process of creating a plan to achieve a specific goal. For example, "The committee needs to "formulate a strategy" that addresses the budget shortfall."

What are some alternatives to "develop a course of action"?

Alternatives include "establish a plan", "devise a strategy", or "craft a solution". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it better to say "develop a course of action" or "implement a course of action"?

"Develop a course of action" refers to creating the plan, while "implement a course of action" means putting the plan into effect. The choice depends on whether you are discussing planning or execution.

What's the difference between "develop a course of action" and "chart a course"?

"Develop a course of action" is generally used in more formal and practical situations, whereas "chart a course" is often used metaphorically, implying a direction or path to follow, particularly in the face of uncertainty.