expected course of action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expected course of action" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing anticipated steps or decisions in a particular situation or context. Example: "After reviewing the situation, the team agreed on the expected course of action to address the issue effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

What we perceive as 'intent' (the belief that we 'choose' an action) is actually (in my opinion) the reinforced AND instinctive *expectation* that if the expected course of action of our *selves* is in anyway contradicted, then it invokes 'shock' (a flight/fight response).

BBC

Further, the projections reflect management's judgement of the expected conditions and its expected course of action, given the hypothetical assumptions.

Bplans

The projections reflect management's judgement of the expected conditions and its expected course of action given the hypothetical assumptions.

Bplans

Furthermore, these projections reflect management's judgment of the expected conditions and the company's expected course of action, given the financial assumptions.

Bplans

Eustachy and his lawyers have until Monday to request an appeal, which is the expected course of action for the 47-year-old coach, whose image has been splashed across newspapers and the Internet.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

For most institutions, the approach to shareholder activism is straightforward: to decide whether and when to become active, an institutional investor compares the expected costs of a course of action with the expected benefits.

Harvard Business Review

In a report scheduled for release this week, the Special Commission on the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion was expected to recommend a course of action that amounts to a step-down on several contentious points.

The New Yorker

Given the nature of the 100 Skills--chapters include Win a Knife Fight, Make an Improvised Taser, Make a Water Bottle Silencer, and Dispose of a Body--you would expect Emerson's recommended course of action to lead to the gunman's eradication.

Huffington Post

Prosecutors are expected to settle on a course of action soon, they said.

The New York Times

We don't expect to always reach agreement on the course of action, nor are we expected to.

Huffington Post

This weekend, the group is expected to reconvene to devise a course of action.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expected course of action" when referring to actions that are predicted or anticipated based on current information and understanding. This implies a degree of certainty or probability.

Common error

Avoid using "expected course of action" when describing actions that are merely intended or hoped for, but not necessarily probable. Instead, consider using phrases like "intended course of action" or "desired course of action".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expected course of action" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting a plan or series of actions that are anticipated or predicted to occur. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expected course of action" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase that describes anticipated steps or decisions in a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's commonly found in news, science, and business contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. Related phrases include "anticipated action plan" and "projected plan of action", which offer similar but slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure it reflects actions that are genuinely probable based on available information, rather than just intended or desired outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipated action plan

Replaces 'course' with 'action plan' and 'expected' with 'anticipated', emphasizing planning.

projected plan of action

Substitutes 'expected' with 'projected', highlighting a forecast of actions.

foreseeable line of action

Replaces 'expected' with 'foreseeable', indicating predictability, and 'course' with 'line'.

anticipated procedure

Replaces 'course of action' with 'procedure', focusing on a standardized set of steps.

predicted strategy

Substitutes 'expected course of action' with 'predicted strategy', emphasizing a calculated approach.

likely steps to take

Simplifies the phrase to focus on probable actions.

normal course of proceedings

Replaces 'action' with 'proceedings', indicating a more formal or legalistic context.

typical next steps

Uses more informal language to denote what usually happens next.

routine measures

Indicates standard, habitual actions that are expected.

standard operating procedure

Focuses on established and predictable operational methods.

FAQs

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

You can use "expected course of action" to describe what is likely to happen based on the current situation. For example, "The "expected course of action" after the review is a complete overhaul of the system".

What is a suitable alternative to "expected course of action"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "anticipated action plan", "projected plan of action" or "foreseeable line of action".

Is "expected course of action" formal or informal?

"Expected course of action" is generally considered neutral to formal and is appropriate for professional, academic, and news contexts.

What's the difference between "expected course of action" and "preferred course of action"?

"Expected course of action" refers to the action that is most likely to occur based on current information. "Preferred course of action", on the other hand, refers to the action that is most desired, regardless of its likelihood. For example: "The "preferred course of action" would be a full refund, but the "expected course of action" is a partial credit".