following a course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "following a course" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to describe a specific activity or path that someone is pursuing, usually in an educational or training context. For example: - She is following a course in psychology at the university. - Following a course in leadership can help you improve your management skills. - The job required me to have a background in design, so I enrolled in a course to learn the necessary skills. - The company is offering a free course in coding for its employees. - I'm following a course on personal finance to better manage my money.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We hypothesized that RENEW would induce improvements following the intervention period while those following a course of usual-care would not demonstrate improvements.

BMC Geriatrics

After years of working with luxury brands and following a course in nutrition, Karen has a finely tuned sense of style and a keen awareness of what works from the inside out.

Huffington Post

Burgenland-born Hofer, who was relatively unknown outside party circles until his nomination for the presidential post in January, was one of the key architects of the FPÖ's lurch to the right following a course of relative moderation during Haider's leadership.

The Guardian

Varying its rhythms and stanzas, rushing or meandering, the poem is itself riverine, following a course without interruption or division.

The Guardian - Books

The letters ceu and a number following a course title identify a noncredit course in which you can earn CEUs.

University of California, Berkeley

Instructors should feel free to revise a rubric following a course too, based on student performance and areas of confusion.

Yale University

What are the views and perceptions of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) regarding maintaining an active lifestyle following a course of pulmonary rehabilitation?

Journal of Physiotherapy

Vietnam itself is following a course unforeseen by any great power, quarreling with Peking, making war with Cambodia, accepting Soviet aid while courting the United States.

The New Yorker

The Conservative party – their political party, the only one they had ever supported – was following a course of action they thought would wreck the economy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I'm following a course that was chosen for me, following a pressing need to show that a woman can work on a monumental scale," she wrote, in one of the scores of letters preserved in her archive, in San Diego.

The New Yorker

We studied how well first-year medical students understand and apply the concept of substituted judgment, following a course on clinical ethics.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "following a course" to describe a series of medical treatments, consider specifying the type of treatment for clarity, such as "following a course of chemotherapy".

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of "following a course" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "undertaking", "pursuing", or "completing", depending on the intended nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "following a course" typically functions as a verbal phrase within a sentence. It describes the action of adhering to or engaging in a specific path, plan, or program. As shown in Ludwig, this often refers to medical treatments, academic pursuits, or strategic plans.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "following a course" is grammatically correct and very commonly used to describe adhering to a specific plan, program, or treatment. As supported by Ludwig's examples, it frequently appears in scientific, news, and academic contexts. While versatile, varying your language with synonyms like "undertaking", "pursuing", or "completing" can enhance your writing. The phrase is appropriate for neutral contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and common usage of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undertaking a program

Replaces "course" with "program", emphasizing a structured set of activities.

pursuing a curriculum

Focuses on the structured learning aspect of the "course".

undergoing a treatment

Specifically refers to medical or therapeutic paths.

embarking on a journey

Uses a metaphorical approach, suggesting a long-term or significant path.

adhering to a regimen

Implies strict compliance to a defined set of rules or actions.

executing a plan

Suggests a deliberate and methodical approach to achieving a goal.

observing a protocol

Emphasizes adherence to a formal set of procedures.

walking a path

Presents a more general and less formal way to describe moving forward with something.

taking steps

Suggests a series of actions to achieve a specific outcome.

going down a road

Uses an idiomatic expression meaning to proceed in a certain direction or manner.

FAQs

How can I use "following a course" in a sentence?

The phrase "following a course" describes the act of adhering to or undergoing a specific program, treatment, or plan. For instance, you might say, "The patient is /s/undergoing+a+treatment" or "She is /s/pursuing+a+curriculum at the university".

What are some alternatives to "following a course"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "/s/undertaking+a+program", "/s/pursuing+a+curriculum", or "/s/undergoing+a+treatment".

Is it better to say "following a course of study" or "following a course of studies"?

"Following a course of study" is generally preferred when referring to a single, unified program. "Following a course of studies" can be used when referring to multiple independent courses within a broader field.

What does it mean to say someone is "following a course of action"?

To say someone is "/s/executing+a+plan" implies they are adhering to a specific plan or strategy to achieve a particular goal.