hold a course

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold a course" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an individual or group staying on track with a plan or strategy. For example, "The team held a course despite the many distractions they encountered along the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I couldn't hold a course.

Huffington Post

He would return briefly to American academia during his career, for instance in the autumn of 1930 to hold a course at Harvard University.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

(skipbarber.com) TOYOTA held a course in May on Long Island and has another planned for Texas in the fall.

The New York Times

The toll company held a course for people with fear of tunnels to master their fears, with 60 people participating.

Wikipedia

He reported that the aircraft held a course towards Krakhellesundet, which was procedure during such weather conditions, and that the aircraft was south of Sognesjøen.

Wikipedia

We have also now held a course for Latin America and the Caribbean in association with PAHO and the UN University in Venezuela May 23 26 2004, and a similar network is being created of participants of that course.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Liberal MP and same-sex marriage advocate Warren Entsch attempted to hold a middle course on Thursday.

The Guardian

The rudder's function is to let a plane land or take off in a cross-wind, and to hold a straight course if an engine fails.

The New York Times

Rutgers's Faculty of Arts and Sciences Continuing Education department, however, is planning to hold a Fall course on Grant Proposal Writing, during which you will "learn the basic elements of developing a successful grant proposal".

Science Magazine

This caused Lieutenant Sorber, the senior surviving officer, to order the submarine to dive, but this meant that she had to hold a straight course while doing so.

Wikipedia

After completing the high-speed maneuvers, standing orders called for the submarine to hold a steady course for three minutes to reestablish sonar contact, which had been disrupted by the high speed maneuvers, with any vessels in the area.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hold a course" in the context of navigation, ensure that you specify the mode of transport (e.g. "the ship held a steady course").

Common error

Avoid using "hold a course" when you mean to "take a course". "Hold a course" means to conduct or maintain a direction, whereas "take a course" means to enroll in or attend a class.

Linguistic Context

Hold a course primarily functions as a verb phrase. It can describe the act of maintaining a specific direction, as seen in the navigational context provided by Ludwig. Additionally, it indicates the action of conducting or offering an educational class or training program, which is aligned with Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold a course" encompasses two primary meanings: maintaining a specific direction (often in navigation) and conducting an educational course. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively uncommon, the phrase appears in diverse contexts like News & Media and scientific publications. When using "hold a course", be mindful of the context to ensure clarity, avoiding confusion with similar phrases like "take a course". The register varies, ranging from neutral to formal depending on the specific situation. Related phrases such as "teach a course" or "maintain a heading" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

teach a course

Focuses specifically on the act of instructing or teaching a class.

conduct a course

Emphasizes the management and execution of a training program.

organize a course

Highlights the preparatory and logistical aspects of setting up a course.

run a course

Implies the active management and ongoing operation of a course.

deliver a course

Focuses on the presentation and provision of the course material.

offer a course

Highlights the availability and provision of a learning opportunity.

provide a course

Similar to 'offer', emphasizing the supply of educational content.

present a course

Focuses on showcasing or introducing a course to potential participants.

maintain a heading

Refers to consistently following a particular direction or path, applicable in navigation.

stay on track

Implies adhering to a planned route or strategy, often in a metaphorical sense.

FAQs

What does it mean to "hold a course"?

To "hold a course" means to maintain a specific direction or heading, often used in the context of navigation. It can also refer to conducting or organizing a class or training session.

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

You can use "hold a course" to describe maintaining direction, as in "The captain instructed the helmsman to "maintain a heading"". Alternatively, you can use it to describe conducting training, as in "The company will "conduct a course" for new employees".

What is a synonym for "hold a course" when referring to navigation?

When referring to navigation, synonyms for "hold a course" include "maintain a heading", "stay on course", or "keep a bearing".

When is it appropriate to use "hold a course" versus "take a course"?

"Hold a course" is used when you are the one maintaining direction or offering/conducting a class, while "take a course" is used when you are a participant receiving instruction.