enroll in a course

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression 'enroll in a course' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when describing someone's decision to join a course for educational purposes. For example: "John decided to enroll in a course to learn more about web development."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

After the first semester of enrollment at Duke, students are free to enroll in a course overload of between 4.5 and 5.5 course credits, but during their registration window, they may register for no more than 4.5 credits.

Duke University

If you attended or asked to enroll in a course but could not complete the enrollment during Drop/Add, your academic dean can enroll you during this week.

Duke University

Graduate students eligible to enroll in courses are permitted to enroll in a course on an audit basis if this enrollment option is allowed by the relevant instructor(s).

Princeton University

This semester, she decided to enroll in a course in accounting at the Harvard Extension School.

The New York Times

Its mission remains shrouded partly because they can't just stop by and enroll in a course in thermodynamics.

The New York Times

Using his credit card, he paid $900 to enroll in a course at the Anthony Schools in Irvine, Calif.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

If you are unable to pre-enroll in a course initially, check again at least once before your pre-enrollment period ends.

Cornell University

What happens after enrolling in a course?

University of California, Berkeley

Your journey at Harvard Extension School begins by enrolling in a course.

Harvard University

After having two children, she enrolled in a course in children's book illustration at Anglia Ruskin University.

The Guardian

Still, he recently enrolled in a course to get a boat captain's license.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about educational opportunities, use "enroll in a course" to clearly indicate the action of formally registering for a course. This phrasing is suitable for both academic and general contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "enrol" (with one 'l') as it is less common in American English. Also, while "register for a course" is similar, "enroll" specifically implies becoming an official member of the course.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enroll in a course" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of formally registering or signing up for a course of study. It is commonly used to describe the process of becoming a student in a specific course, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

50%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "enroll in a course" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that signifies the act of formally registering for a course. According to Ludwig, it's perfectly acceptable for written English. It's commonly found in academic and news contexts and generally maintains a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and consider synonyms like "register for a course" or "sign up for a course" for variety. Remember to use the correct spelling ("enroll" in American English) and avoid vagueness by clearly indicating which course is being referred to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

register for a course

Focuses on the act of formal registration.

sign up for a course

Implies a more informal registration or agreement.

take a course

Highlights participation and attendance in the course.

join a course

Emphasizes becoming a member of the course group.

attend a course

Stresses the action of being present at the course.

participate in a course

Highlights active involvement in the course activities.

matriculate in a course

Focuses on formal acceptance and enrollment, often in higher education.

undertake a course

Implies a serious commitment to studying the course material.

pursue a course of study

Emphasizes the academic or intellectual journey of learning.

engage in a course

Suggests active and enthusiastic participation in the course.

FAQs

What's the difference between "enroll in a course" and "register for a course"?

While both phrases are often used interchangeably, "enroll in a course" typically implies a more formal and complete process of becoming a student in the course. "Register for a course" may refer to a preliminary step or a less involved commitment.

What are some alternatives to "enroll in a course"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "sign up for a course", "take a course", or "join a course".

Is it correct to say "enrol in a course"?

"Enrol" is a valid spelling, but "enroll" is more common in American English. If you're writing for a British audience, "enrol" might be more appropriate.

How do I use "enroll in a course" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "Students can "enroll in a course" online.", or "She decided to "enroll in a course" to improve her skills."