follow this course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "follow this course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when giving directions or suggesting a specific path or method to achieve a goal. Example: "To improve your skills, I recommend that you follow this course on advanced programming techniques."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Rabii reluctantly indicated that they would follow this course".

The Guardian

Follow this course, and you will remain "independent of medicine in all but extreme cases".

The New York Times

The latest to follow this course of action was E4, Channel 4's entertainment service aimed at a younger audience.

The Guardian - Tech

Other sports ' governing bodies also follow this course of action as part of their anti-doping procedures".

The Guardian - Sport

Yemen's people have charted the course of revolution and we will follow this course to its end.

The New York Times

I can only assume that Mark Evans [the Quins chief executive] had told them I should follow this course of action".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Following this course, the mayors would do far more than clean up the environment.

The New York Times

If NBC Universal follows this course, he said, "they could end up looking a lot like Viacom".

The New York Times

The French and Russian revolutions followed this course of development, as did the Islamic revolution in Iran in the late 20th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Last year, Reitman's Labor Day followed this course, as did Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave, and other film-makers – such as Werner Herzog and Alexander Payne – have also been keen to double up.

The Guardian - Film

The chicken dish that follows this course has a variety of tricky ingredients and to find the right wine, we are staying at Aldi (yes, I know you're little used to these discount pile-'em-high retailers, but this one has a wine buyer with an unusually fine nose).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When suggesting a course of action, ensure the context clearly explains why "follow this course" is the recommended choice. Provide supporting reasons or expected benefits.

Common error

While "follow this course" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. In formal contexts, consider using synonyms like "adopt this strategy" or "implement this plan" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "follow this course" primarily functions as a directive, suggesting a specific path or method to be adopted. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "follow this course" is a grammatically sound and commonly used directive, primarily employed to recommend a specific action or strategy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various writing contexts, though more formal synonyms may be preferable in academic or professional settings. Frequent usage occurs in news, scientific, and wiki-based content. Remember to use this phrase when giving explicit directions and make sure that your content explains why the reader should follow it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take this course of action

Emphasizes the action-oriented aspect of following a course.

pursue this path

Uses a metaphorical "path" to represent a plan or direction.

adopt this strategy

Focuses on the strategic aspect of following a particular course.

implement this plan

Highlights the implementation aspect of a course of action.

go down this road

Similar to "pursue this path" but slightly more informal.

choose this option

Highlights the element of choice or selection.

select this route

Uses "route" as a more direct alternative to "course".

act in accordance with this

Formal alternative, emphasizing compliance with a set of guidelines.

proceed in this manner

Focuses on the manner or method of proceeding.

stick to this plan

Emphasizes adherence and commitment to a particular plan.

FAQs

How can I use "follow this course" in a sentence?

You can use "follow this course" to suggest a specific path or method to achieve a goal. For example, "To improve your skills, I recommend that you follow this course on advanced programming techniques."

What can I say instead of "follow this course"?

You can use alternatives like "take this course of action", "pursue this path", or "adopt this strategy" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "follow this course" or "take this course"?

Both "follow this course" and "take this course" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey. "Take this course" might be more direct, while "follow this course" can imply a more guided or step-by-step approach.

When should I use "follow this course of action" instead of "follow this course"?

Using "follow this course of action" adds emphasis to the practical steps involved. While often interchangeable, the longer phrase suits situations where the specific actions are important to highlight.