figures the course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "figures the course" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear what context you intend to use it in, as it does not follow standard English usage. Example: "The committee figures the course of action to take in response to the crisis."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Violette figures the course is worth $2 million on the open market.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In reference to my optimism you said "on his figures, the courses are full for this September".

The Economist

I knew I needed a refresher, but I figured that the course would be a breeze.

The New York Times

"We're trying to basically figure out the course of action right now.

Los Angeles Times

Asked to explain his much-improved batting figures over the course of the series, Prior said: "Luck, I reckon.

The Guardian - Sport

His form there – hitting double figures over the course of the season – earned him a professional contract with Grenoble, the Ligue 2 club, at the age of 24.

The Guardian - Sport

All figures present the course of the CDW, CO2, phosphoric acid, nitrate, glucose and Surfactin concentrations with time.

AMB Express

Mr Kennedy estimated that the number of times he was sent home after showing up for work had reached "double figures" over the course of the past year.

BBC

The following figures show the course of events for both quantitative arms and the timeline for data collection for the quantitative and qualitative arms (Figs.  1 and 2).

BMC Cancer

Several lawmakers and others have said costs could be two or three times that figure over the course of reconstruction and resettlement of residents.

The New York Times

For the experiment shown in Figure 10 the course of the glucose transporter was not measured.

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "figures the course" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer and more grammatically accepted alternatives like "determine the course", "chart the course", or "understand the trajectory" to improve clarity and credibility.

Common error

Don't assume "figures" can always replace verbs like "determine" or "understand" when discussing a path or plan. While "figure out" is common, "figures the course" sounds awkward. Use established phrases to avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The grammatical function of "figures the course" is ambiguous due to its non-standard usage. While "figures" might be intended as a verb, the phrase doesn't adhere to typical English syntax. According to Ludwig, this usage is not considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "figures the course" is not considered standard English and is generally deemed grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI emphasizes that it lacks a clear, established usage pattern in authoritative sources. While its intended meaning might be to convey the act of determining or understanding a plan, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal writing. Opt for more conventional alternatives such as "determine the course", "chart the course", or "understand the trajectory" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. The phrase is rarely used, making it unsuitable for professional or academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine the course of action

Replaces "figures" with "determine", emphasizing a decision-making process regarding a plan.

chart the course

Uses "chart" to suggest mapping out or planning a route or strategy.

understand the trajectory

Focuses on comprehending the path or development of something over time.

ascertain the route

Emphasizes discovering or confirming the specific path to be taken.

map out the plan

Highlights the detailed planning and outlining of a specific strategy.

devise a strategy

Focuses on creating a detailed plan to achieve a specific goal.

plan the itinerary

Highlights the detailed scheduling and arrangement of a journey or series of events.

outline the procedure

Emphasizes the structured and systematic approach to defining a process.

establish the methodology

Focuses on setting up a systematic approach or set of principles.

define the process

Stresses the act of clearly specifying and explaining a particular sequence of actions.

FAQs

What does "figures the course" mean?

The phrase "figures the course" is not a standard or widely recognized English idiom. It is likely intended to convey the idea of determining or understanding a path or plan, but it's not grammatically correct. It's better to use alternatives like "determine the course" or "chart the course".

How can I rephrase "figures the course" to sound more natural?

Instead of "figures the course", use phrases such as "determine the course of action", "map out the plan", or "devise a strategy". These alternatives are more common and grammatically sound, ensuring clearer communication.

Is it correct to say "figures the course of action"?

While one might infer the intended meaning, it is stylistically unusual and potentially confusing. A more appropriate way to phrase this is to say "determine the course of action". This is clearer and more widely accepted.

When is it appropriate to use "figures the course"?

Given that "figures the course" isn't standard English, it is best to avoid using it in formal or professional writing. While it could appear in informal contexts, using a more common phrase ensures clarity and avoids potential misinterpretations. Consider using "understand the trajectory" instead.