in the course of which

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the course of which" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that the process of something is long and involves multiple steps. For example: "I interviewed five candidates, in the course of which I noted their strengths and weaknesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was a head-to-head debate, in the course of which it was Mme.

The New Yorker

The vaudevillian caravan staggers on, in the course of which a vague plot begins to emerge.

Independent

A struggle with the latter followed, in the course of which both men drew guns.

Cornell University

This very same 10 years, in the course of which the nuclear weapons will have been eliminated.

The New York Times

The couple were to remain there for seven years, in the course of which their son Patrick was born.

The Guardian

The Society has spent $200,000 on various stratosphere-balloon experiments in 1935, in the course of which Capt.

The New Yorker

I mentioned Wild West films in the course of which this sort of plain carpentry grew in demand.

The Guardian - Books

A jacquerie (peasant revolt) developed, in the course of which many manors were burned down and landowners killed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rosenberg attended Hitler's conference of 16th July , 1941 in the course of which policies of administration and occupation were discussed.

Yale University

But this right is incidental to the judicial proceeding in the course of which the question concerning it arises.

Cornell University

They then embark on an improvised frenzy in the course of which they tear off their bulky padded costumes and caper gleefully around the stage.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using shorter alternatives like "during which" for a less verbose style, especially in contexts where formality is not a primary concern.

Common error

Avoid using "in the course of which" excessively, as it can make your writing sound stilted. Vary your sentence structure by using simpler alternatives where appropriate to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the course of which" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. It modifies a preceding noun or clause, specifying that something occurred during a particular process or event. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

13%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the course of which" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase that connects events, highlighting that one takes place during the progression of another. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and best suited for formal writing, particularly in academic, journalistic, and encyclopedic contexts. While shorter alternatives like "during which" exist, "in the course of which" offers a more elaborate and precise way to specify temporal relationships in complex scenarios. Keep in mind to avoid overusing the phrase in order to maintain a natural flow in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during which

A more concise and direct alternative, omitting "the course of".

in that process

Highlights a specific process or stage of something.

through which

Emphasizes the means or medium by which something is accomplished.

in the midst of which

Emphasizes that something occurs while something else is actively happening; slightly more dramatic.

while this happened

Simplifies the structure, replacing the prepositional phrase with a subordinate clause.

as part of that

Indicates something is included within a larger activity.

as a result of this

Shifts the focus to the consequence of an action rather than the process itself.

while that took place

Expresses simultaneity between two events using a more conversational tone.

throughout that time

Focuses on the duration of an event or activity.

during this period

Refers to a specific timeframe in which events occur.

FAQs

How can I use "in the course of which" in a sentence?

Use "in the course of which" to connect two related events, emphasizing that one event happened during the other. For example, "The investigation took several months, "in the course of which" many witnesses were interviewed".

What are some alternatives to "in the course of which"?

You can use alternatives like "during which", "through which", or "while this happened" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "in the course of which" or "during which"?

"In the course of which" is more formal and emphasizes a longer process, whereas "during which" is simpler and more commonly used. The choice depends on the desired tone and the complexity of the situation you're describing.

How does "in the course of which" differ from "as a result of which"?

"In the course of which" indicates that an event happened during another, while "as a result of which" indicates that one event is a consequence of the other. They have different meanings and should be used accordingly.