going off course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going off course" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something or someone deviating from a planned or expected path or direction. Example: The hiker suddenly realized he was going off course and had accidentally wandered onto a different trail.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Going off course was a risk, but it paid off; the John Klein and Cumberland mudstones have previously turned up a smorgasbord of chemicals and water-altered minerals that would have made it a potentially prime place for life, if it ever existed on the Red Planet.

Los Angeles Times

A passenger plane going off course?

The New Yorker

Both of these stand to cut down idle chit-chat and going off course.

Yale University

Some readers said they worried the #MeToo movement risked going off course.

The New York Times

But although the tax take is on target, the social-security system, regional governments and a tax amnesty are all going off course.

The Economist

This meant that the speed and direction settings would remain the value that they were set at, resulting in the pursuit unit going off course and crashing.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"They have gone off course," he said of the developers.

The New York Times

But he went off course again in the sixth.

The New York Times

Benner said the zigzag route suggested the builders had gone off course.

The Guardian

Every computer error, every false alert, every test missile that goes off course, pulls the trigger.

Stanford University

"Of course our ships have autopilot, which immediately sends a warning signal when the ship goes off course," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "going off course" to describe a project or plan, clearly identify the intended course or objective to provide context for the deviation.

Common error

Avoid using "going off course" without a clear reference point. For instance, saying "The project went off course" is less effective than "The project went off course because of budget cuts."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "going off course" is verbal, acting as a present participle phrase often used within a continuous verb tense to describe an action of deviation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "going off course" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes the action of deviating from a planned or expected path. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across different contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, as well as academic sources. Related phrases include "straying from the path" and "deviating from the plan". When using this phrase, it's important to provide context to clearly identify the intended course or objective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

straying from the path

Emphasizes a departure from a literal or figurative route.

deviating from the plan

Highlights a departure from an established strategy or set of actions.

veering off track

Suggests a sudden change in direction or focus.

getting sidetracked

Implies being distracted and losing focus on the primary objective.

wandering astray

Conveys a sense of aimlessness and unintentional deviation.

going adrift

Suggests a lack of control and guidance, leading to deviation.

losing one's way

Highlights the experience of becoming disoriented and deviating from the intended direction.

diverging from the norm

Focuses on departing from established standards or expectations.

straying from the subject

Refers to a digression in conversation or writing.

getting off the subject

Suggests a digression or tangent in communication.

FAQs

What does "going off course" mean?

"Going off course" means deviating or straying from a planned or expected path, direction, or behavior. It implies a departure from the intended route or plan.

How can I use "going off course" in a sentence?

You can say, "The ship was "going off course" due to the strong winds," or "The discussion started "going off course" when we began talking about unrelated topics."

What can I say instead of "going off course"?

You can use alternatives like "deviating from the plan", "straying from the path", or "veering off track" depending on the context.

Is it okay to say "goes off course" instead of "going off course"?

Yes, "goes off course" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb phrase, while "going off course" is the present participle. The correct form depends on the subject and tense of the sentence.