during the course of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during the course of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that happened over a certain period of time. For example, "During the course of the day, we finished all of the errands on our list."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

podium during the course of this weekend".

The New York Times

Weight analysis revealed three stages during the course of oxidation.

Carbon

Many wider themes emerged during the course of the project.

The Guardian

We've heard these suggestions during the course of this campaign.

The New Yorker

Use antibiotics early during the course of this illness.

The Guardian - Travel

("Somehow during the course of that day the story broke").

The New York Times - Sports

Two Marines were recovered during the course of the day.

The Times

That's what he's exploiting during the course of his campaign.

The Washington Post

Three prototypes were developed during the course of this work.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

Pruritus often occurs during the course of the illness.

Hepatology Research

It's going to happen during the course of the season.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during the course of" to emphasize that an event or process unfolds over a period, especially when you want to highlight the progression or stages involved.

Common error

Avoid using "during the course of" in contexts where simpler alternatives like "during" or "throughout" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal and stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the course of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate when something occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes events unfolding over a period. Examples in Ludwig show it describing actions, events and changes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during the course of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to specify the timing of an event or process. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. While synonyms like "during" or "throughout" exist, "during the course of" adds a nuance of progression over a period. It is most frequently found in science and news media and formal settings. Keep in mind that overusing formal phrases may sound stilted so prefer shorter versions when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during

Simplest and most direct synonym.

throughout

Shorter, more direct; implies continuous action or state within a period.

in the duration of

More formal; emphasizes the length of time something lasts.

while

Simpler and more general; indicates simultaneous occurrence.

over the period of

Highlights the entire span of time.

in the time of

Similar, but can also refer to a specific period or era.

in the period of

Formal; emphasizes a defined timeframe.

as

More concise; indicates a parallel action or development.

in the process of

Focuses on the activity rather than the time period.

through

Similar to "throughout" but can also mean 'by means of'.

FAQs

How can I use "during the course of" in a sentence?

Use "during the course of" to describe something that happens over a period of time. For example, "Many changes occurred "during the course of the project"".

What are some alternatives to "during the course of"?

You can use alternatives such as "during", "throughout", or "while" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "during the course of" rather than "during"?

Yes, "during the course of" is generally more formal than simply saying "during". Use "during" in more casual or concise writing.

What's the difference between "during the course of" and "over the course of"?

"During the course of" emphasizes events occurring within a specific timeframe, whereas "over the course of" highlights the entire duration or span of time.