first half of the course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first half of the course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the initial portion or segment of a course, typically in an educational context. Example: "In the first half of the course, we will cover the fundamental concepts of mathematics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Through the first half of the course, 8 of the 24 students dropped out.

The New York Times - Food

"All the way over the first half of the course, things were looking quite good," Ashley said.

The New York Times - Sports

The first half of the course is being spent largely on learning anatomy, physiology and other topics at the union consortium's headquarters in Manhattan.

The New York Times

The first half of the course takes place at the University of Buckingham and the second half through the Milton Keynes hospital NHS foundation trust.

The Guardian

But only those on the first half of the course saw Great Britain's double Olympic champion Mo Farah, who dropped out on 13 miles, as he always planned to, before praising the crowd and said saying the experience was good practice ahead of him running the full race next year.

Independent

After tearing up the first half of the course, the twenty-two-year-old Spieth was seven under par for the tournament, giving him a five-shot lead en route to what seemed sure to be his second Masters victory in a row.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

(The second half of the course is devoted to magazine publishing).

The New York Times

Most of the changes occurred during the first half of the study course.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The first half of this course dealt with evolution and was taught by one of us (STK).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Mo Farah, who won the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2012 London Olympics, ran only the first half of the 26.2-mile course.

BBC

The fragments were recovered in dribs and drabs over the first half of the 20th century, in the course of a series of expeditions to the wreck that were more concerned with its cargo of marble and bronze statues, jewellery, coins, ceramics and glassware.In this section Gaia's breath Life at the top Practice may not make perfect Mk-II?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing course content, be specific about what topics are covered in the "first half of the course" to provide clarity and set expectations for students.

Common error

Do not assume that "first half of the course" implies the exact midpoint in terms of content or time. If the structure isn't evenly split, clarify the scope and timeline to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first half of the course" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object in a sentence. As shown in Ludwig, it identifies a specific portion of a course. Ludwig AI validates the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first half of the course" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the initial portion of a course, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly used in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, it serves to define a specific timeframe for content or activities. While alternatives like "initial segment of the course" or "early part of the course" exist, the original phrase remains a clear and frequently used option. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the scope of this segment to avoid any ambiguity, particularly if it doesn't represent a strict midpoint. Ludwig's analysis highlights its versatility and appropriateness in various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial segment of the course

Replaces "first half" with "initial segment", emphasizing the starting portion.

early part of the course

Uses "early part" instead of "first half", focusing on the beginning stages.

beginning of the course

Substitutes "first half" with "beginning", highlighting the starting point.

first section of the course

Employs "first section" instead of "first half", referring to a distinct segment.

opening phase of the course

Replaces "first half" with "opening phase", indicating the initial stage of development.

initial phase of the course

Similar to opening phase, but uses "initial" to emphasize the start.

first portion of the course

Uses the word "portion" instead of "half" to mean the same thing.

introductory part of the course

Adds an adjective, "introductory", clarifying the purpose of this part of the course.

first module of the course

Refers to the "first half" as a specific "module" or unit.

first term of the course

If the course is divided by terms this alternative make sense.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The assessment for the "first half of the course" will focus on theoretical frameworks."

What's a good alternative to "first half of the course"?

Consider using "initial segment of the course" or "early part of the course" for variety.

Is it correct to say "1st half of the course" instead of "first half of the course"?

While "1st half of the course" is understandable, ""first half of the course"" is generally preferred in formal writing.

What typically distinguishes the "first half of the course" from the second?

The "first half of the course" often introduces foundational concepts, whereas the second half builds upon these with more advanced topics or practical applications.