give a course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'give a course' is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to a situation in which an individual instructs or teaches a class or other group of people about a certain topic or subject. For example: "My teacher has agreed to give a course on Ancient Greek literature this summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I give a course on Cézanne at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College, London.

The New Yorker

Why beekeeping? A. I give a course on the flowers that are food for bees, yes.

The New York Times - Science

The Soc. started in '59, when the New School for Social Research asked John Cage to give a course in experimental music, & he said he' do it on condition that he also give a course in mushroom identification.

The New Yorker

In 1846 Agassiz visited the United States for the general purpose of studying natural history and geology there but more specifically to give a course of lectures at the Lowell Institute in Boston.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His enthusiasm for the popularization of science prompted him to give a course on physical geography to the professors and students of all faculties of the University of Berlin, part of which he repeated in a public lecture to an audience of more than 1,000.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Vitoria's arguments, involving the application of moral principles, led to his being often consulted by the emperor Charles V. In 1530 the empress wrote to ask him about the divorce of King Henry VIII of England, and this led him to give a course of lectures on matrimony.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Now, sufferers are given a course of antibiotics.

The Economist

For many years, he gave a course in memoir-writing at the New School.

The New Yorker

While at Münster he gave a course of lectures on Die protestantische Theologie im 19.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I went to an emergency walk-in centre and was given a course of antibiotics.

The Guardian - Money

He was released on Thursday and given a course of antibiotics but died on Saturday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and adjust the formality accordingly. "Give a course" is suitable for most contexts but might be replaced with "offer a seminar" for more specialized groups.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who is teaching the course. Instead of saying, "A course will be given," specify who will "give a course". This makes the sentence more active and direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give a course" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of providing instruction or teaching a class. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes the activity of an individual who is instructing others in a formal setting.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

29%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "give a course" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase signifying the act of teaching or instructing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While not extremely common, it appears in various reputable sources such as The New Yorker, Encyclopedia Britannica and The New York Times. The phrase's function is primarily to inform about someone's role as an instructor. Consider alternatives like "teach a course" or "offer a course" for similar meanings. Ensure that clarity is maintained by specifying who is "giving a course" to avoid passive constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

teach a course

This alternative replaces "give" with "teach", emphasizing the act of instruction.

offer a course

This alternative substitutes "give" with "offer", highlighting the availability of the course.

conduct a course

This alternative uses "conduct" instead of "give", suggesting a more formal or organized approach to teaching.

run a course

This alternative uses "run" in place of "give", implying the management and execution of the course.

present a course

This alternative replaces "give" with "present", focusing on the delivery of the course material.

lecture on a topic

This alternative shifts the focus to lecturing on a specific subject, rather than providing a structured course.

instruct in a subject

This alternative is a broader term for teaching, without specifying a structured course.

provide instruction

This alternative is even more general, referring to the act of teaching in any form.

lead a seminar

This alternative specifies a particular type of course, typically smaller and more interactive.

facilitate a workshop

This alternative implies a hands-on, interactive learning environment.

FAQs

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

You can use "give a course" to describe someone teaching or instructing a class. For example, "Professor Smith will "give a course" on astrophysics next semester."

What are some alternatives to "give a course"?

Alternatives include "teach a course", "offer a course", or "conduct a course", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "give a course" or "teach a course"?

"Teach a course" and "give a course" are generally interchangeable. However, "teach a course" might sound slightly more common and less formal in everyday conversation than "give a course".

What's the difference between "give a course" and "attend a course"?

"Give a course" means to instruct or teach a course, while "attend a course" means to participate in a course as a student. They are opposite actions related to the same activity.