possible course of action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possible course of action" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to a potential plan or strategy that could be taken in a given situation. Example: After analyzing the current market conditions, the board members discussed several possible courses of action for the company's expansion plans.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

One half thinks that their Government & the French have taken the only possible course of action.

The New Yorker

With the average credit card interest rate now standing at over 16% it is the worst possible course of action.

The Guardian - Money

"We are weighing a possible course of action against the ruling and assessing the prospects of an appeal," she said.

The Guardian

A third possible course of action was to establish a hereditary judgeship, which was the aspiration of the judge Samuel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That appeared to be the minimum possible course of action Nopsema could take, since those particular bolts produced by GE had been subject to a global recall.

The Guardian

But they say that weighing the issue as a real possible course of action could begin the process of legitimizing a barbaric form of interrogation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Then you think of possible courses of action.

The New York Times

Assuming Trump loses, a Clinton administration has three possible courses of action.

The Guardian

During a journalistic scandal, the malefactor's professional fellows have two possible courses of action.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. ElBaradei left open several possible courses of action, including a boycott.

The New York Times

"We're going to take a look at all our possible courses of action," said Deborah New, a spokeswoman for Anthem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting multiple "possible courses of action", clearly outline the pros and cons of each to facilitate informed decision-making.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences with "possible course of action" in a way that obscures the actor. Instead of "A possible course of action was considered", specify who considered it: "The committee considered a possible course of action".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possible course of action" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It identifies a potential plan or strategy that is under consideration. Ludwig shows several examples where it's used to discuss options in various situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "possible course of action" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a potential plan or strategy, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is versatile and appears frequently in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, lending itself well to both formal and neutral registers. When using the phrase, ensure you are clearly outlining potential options for decision-making. Be aware of potential overuse of the passive voice, and consider alternatives like "potential strategy" or "feasible option" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potential strategy

Focuses on the strategic aspect of the action.

feasible option

Highlights the practicality and achievability of the action.

viable alternative

Emphasizes that the action is a realistic and workable choice.

conceivable solution

Suggests the action is a considered response to a problem.

available recourse

Implies the action is a source of help or remedy in a difficult situation.

imaginable approach

Focuses on the creative or theoretical aspect of the action.

thinkable plan

Highlights the planning stage of the action, implying it's under consideration.

achievable measure

Stresses the feasibility and practicality of the action as a step taken.

realistic pathway

Emphasizes the action as a route or direction that is grounded in reality.

workable method

Suggests the action is a functional and effective way to achieve a goal.

FAQs

How can I use "possible course of action" in a sentence?

"Possible course of action" is used to suggest a potential strategy or plan that could be taken. For example: "After analyzing the data, we identified a "possible course of action" that could improve efficiency".

What can I say instead of "possible course of action"?

You can use alternatives like "potential strategy", "feasible option", or "viable alternative" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "possible course of action" or "potential course of action"?

Both "possible course of action" and "potential course of action" are correct and largely interchangeable. "Potential course of action" might emphasize the yet unrealized nature of the action more strongly.

What's the difference between "possible course of action" and "best course of action"?

"Possible course of action" refers to any potential plan, while "best course of action" implies that the plan has been evaluated and determined to be the most suitable or effective option.