river course

USAGE SUMMARY

"river course" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most often used to refer to the path of a river, either the physical shape it takes or the direction which it flows. For example, "The river course wound through the valley, eventually reaching the coast."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Highly concentrated asset values are often protected by dikes stretching along the river course.

Journal of Hydrology

In the meantime, channel down cutting along the thalweg almost existed throughout the river course.

Journal of Hydrology

A series of paleovalleys thus formed runs parallel to the present river course.

Quaternary International

The volcanic dam also caused a river course reversal in northern Rwanda, generating lakes and marshes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lickliter bogeyed the par-4 No. 18 on the 6,853-yard 6,853-yardse at Kingsmill.

The New York Times - Sports

The River Course is truly beautiful, well hidden from the road, with no housing developments to mar the views.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

UAV was firstly used to calculate river-course cross-sections with high-resolution stereoscopic images.

Journal of Hydrology

Results showed that upstream urbanization resulted in abnormal river-course geomorphology and consequently abnormal e-flows under intensive human activities.

Journal of Hydrology

On the IRA's Cooper River course, Crotty said, "You've got to be pretty bold.

Princeton University

Yale's varsity heavyweight crew remained unbeaten in eastern rowing today, defeating Syracuse and Purdue under ideal racing conditions on its home Housatonic River course.

The New York Times - Sports

The 28‐year‐old Navy doc for from Queens was clocked In 5 minutes 3.2 seconds for the 1,500‐meter Main River course.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes to a "river course", specify the timeframe and geographical location for clarity. For instance, "The Mississippi River course has shifted significantly over the last century near New Orleans."

Common error

Avoid using "river course" when you mean the area along the riverbank. "River course" refers specifically to the path of the water, while "riverside" denotes the land adjacent to the river.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "river course" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object, denoting the channel or path of a river, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples, such as "dikes stretching along the river course" or "change of river course".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

21%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "river course" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to the path or channel of a river. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts. It's essential to use this term accurately, distinguishing it from related concepts like "riverside". Alternatives like "watercourse" or "fluvial route" can be used depending on the level of formality required. When writing about "river courses", be specific about locations and timeframes to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

watercourse

A more general term referring to any channel through which water flows.

river's path

A simple and direct way to describe the route taken by a river.

stream's route

Similar to river's path, but often used for smaller bodies of water.

channel of the river

Focuses on the physical channel carved out by the river.

fluvial route

A more formal and scientific term for the course of a river.

river's trajectory

Emphasizes the directional aspect of the river's flow.

course of the stream

Another way of denoting the path that a stream takes.

river flow path

Highlights the direction of movement of the water within the river.

natural waterway

Describes the river as a naturally occurring route for water.

thalweg

Technical term referring to the line of lowest elevation within a valley or riverbed.

FAQs

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

You can use "river course" to describe the path a river takes, as in, "The new bridge was built to span the "river course"" or "Changes in the "river course" can impact local ecosystems."

What's a more formal way to say "river course"?

A more formal alternative to "river course" is "fluvial route", often used in scientific or academic contexts.

Is it correct to use "river course" to describe a golf course?

While some golf courses are named "River Course", the term "river course" generally refers to the actual path of a river, not a recreational facility. Refer to golf courses by their proper names.

What factors can influence a "river course"?

Tectonic activity, erosion, sedimentation, and human interventions like dam construction can all significantly alter a "river course".