identical course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identical course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more things that follow the same path or direction, often in an academic or procedural context. Example: "The two students are taking an identical course this semester, focusing on advanced mathematics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Their play followed an identical course.

The New York Times - Arts

Against incalculable odds, the final ran an identical course.

The Guardian - Sport

The breeze pumped up and down 11 to 15 knots as the boats continued to hold identical course headings to the right.

The New York Times - Sports

The use of Tipp-ex to change the date on his syllabus suggests he's been teaching the identical course year after year.

The Guardian - Film

Trott's innings took an almost identical course as he cruised to 23, only to be surprised by a Harris bouncer, which he flicked through to the wicketkeeper.

BBC

The research results showed no significant difference between the performance of the students who took a course in hybrid mode versus the performance of those who took the identical course in distance learning mode.

The Internet and Higher Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Two tours (usually 10 visitors apiece) run through nearly identical courses.

The New York Times - Arts

Two other groups (n = 6) received identical courses and exams with the puzzle session first followed by the traditional teaching.

BMC Medical Education

The standards requirements for online programs are no different for online courses then they are for identical courses offered on college campuses.

WikiHow

9. Think offers Don't apply to courses with identical grade requirements and ensure you've one course that could give you a (lower) insurance offer for a more relaxed year 13. 10.

The Guardian

Men and women are not identical, of course.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing academic programs, use "identical course" to emphasize that the content and structure are exactly the same, especially if offered in different formats (online vs. in-person).

Common error

Avoid using "identical course" when the courses are merely very similar but have some differences in content, delivery, or assessment. "Similar course" or "comparable course" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identical course" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It specifies the nature of the "course", indicating it is a precise copy or counterpart of another. Ludwig shows that this expression is used to emphasize sameness in academic and procedural contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33.3%

News & Media

33.3%

Formal & Business

16.7%

Less common in

Wiki

16.7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "identical course" is used to describe two or more courses that are exactly the same in content, structure, and assessment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and appears primarily in scientific, news, and formal contexts. When writing, it's best to reserve "identical course" for situations where the courses are truly indistinguishable. Consider using "similar course" or "equivalent course" when there are minor differences. Overall, while not exceedingly common, the phrase serves an important function in academic and professional communication by clearly conveying complete equivalence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

same course

Replaces "identical" with "same", indicating equivalence.

equivalent course

Suggests the course is not the same but fulfills the same requirements or objectives.

parallel course

Implies courses run alongside each other and are very similar.

matching course

Highlights that the courses align or correspond well.

indistinguishable course

Focuses on the difficulty in telling the courses apart.

carbon-copy course

Emphasizes that the course is an exact duplicate.

duplicate course

States the course is a copy or replica of another.

corresponding course

Indicates a course that directly relates to another.

uniform course

Suggests that the course is consistent and standardized.

consistent course

Focuses on the course maintaining a stable and similar nature.

FAQs

What does "identical course" mean?

The term "identical course" refers to a course that is exactly the same as another in terms of content, structure, requirements, and assessment. It implies no differences between the two.

When is it appropriate to use "identical course" in writing?

Use "identical course" when you want to emphasize that two courses being compared are completely the same. This is particularly relevant when discussing different sections or formats of the same course.

What are some alternatives to "identical course"?

You can use alternatives like "same course", "equivalent course", or "similar course" depending on the context and the degree of similarity you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "almost identical course"?

While grammatically correct, "almost identical course" might be misleading because "identical" implies no differences. Consider using "very similar course" or "nearly identical course" for more accurate phrasing.