set a course of action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set a course of action" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing plans or strategies for achieving a specific goal or objective. Example: "After much deliberation, the team decided to set a course of action to improve customer satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Assuming he says no, Mr. Sullivan said lawmakers needed to set a course of action within the next two weeks.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Others said the declaration was important at least symbolically and could set a course for action.

The New York Times - Science

The F.A.A. typically sets a course of corrective action for airlines when it issues a safety directive.

The New York Times

During the closure, the cathedral's Canon Chancellor Dr Giles Fraser resigned, saying he feared the church was set on a course of action which could lead to protesters being moved by force.

Independent

In a statement to the Guardian, Fraser, who was appointed canon in May 2009, confirmed his resignation, saying: "I resigned because I believe that the chapter has set on a course of action that could mean there will be violence in the name of the church".

The Guardian

The reaction by members of St Paul's to the camp led to the resignation of the cathedral's Canon Chancellor, Dr Giles Fraser, who said he feared the church was set on a course of action which could lead to protesters being moved by force.

Independent

The spokesperson said the email set out a course of action "to support the department to ensure that its normal course of work is not affected by the demands of the Princess of Wales Hospital investigation".

BBC

They reported that PBL presented challenges that allowed them to become intrinsically motivated, set goals, plan a course of action, select appropriate strategies, and self-monitor and self-evaluate their learning.

BMC Medical Education

If DCF set out to plot a course of action that would inflict the most devastating injuries on Jane Doe, it has succeeded.

Huffington Post

Especially if that person doesn't know who you are, or is trying to pressure you to adopt a set of beliefs or a course of action.

WikiHow

After weeks of complaints from allies and conflicting signals from the administration, the statements today from Congress and senior officials suggested that pressure on the president was mounting to set a clear course of action as world leaders prepared to meet next week at the United Nations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "set a course of action", ensure that the context clearly defines who is setting the course and what the intended outcome is. This adds clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "set a course of action" without specifying who is setting the course. For instance, instead of saying 'A course of action was set', specify 'The committee set a course of action'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set a course of action" functions as a verbal phrase, often used as a predicate in a sentence. It describes the act of deciding on and implementing a specific plan or strategy. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set a course of action" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that denotes the deliberate planning and implementation of a strategy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who is setting the course and what the intended outcome is. Alternatives such as "/s/establish+a+plan+of+action" or "/s/determine+a+course+of+action" can provide nuanced variations, while still conveying a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish a plan of action

Replaces "set" with "establish" and "course" with "plan", emphasizing the creation of a strategy.

determine a course of action

Replaces "set" with "determine", focusing on deciding or figuring out the appropriate strategy.

define a strategy

Simplifies the phrase by focusing on the act of defining a strategy, omitting "course of action".

devise a plan

Uses "devise" instead of "set", suggesting a more creative or inventive approach to planning.

chart a path forward

Employs a more metaphorical expression, suggesting the creation of a roadmap or direction.

map out a strategy

Similar to charting a path, but uses the verb "map out" to emphasize detailed planning.

lay out a plan

Focuses on presenting or detailing a plan in a clear and organized manner.

formulate a strategy

Highlights the act of carefully and methodically creating a strategy.

adopt a procedure

Focuses on implementing an established set of steps or guidelines.

initiate proceedings

More formal and often used in legal or official contexts to refer to starting a formal process.

FAQs

How can I /s/establish+a+plan+of+action?

To /s/establish+a+plan+of+action you need to identify your goals, assess the current situation, develop strategies, allocate resources, and implement and monitor the plan.

What is the difference between "set a course of action" and "take action"?

"Set a course of action" implies planning and strategizing before acting, while "take action" suggests immediate steps are being taken, which can be synonymous with /s/implement+a+plan.

Is there a more formal way to say "set a course of action"?

Yes, you could use "/s/formulate+a+strategy", which is more suitable in professional or academic contexts.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "set a course of action"?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize the deliberate planning and strategic thinking that goes into choosing a particular path or method to achieve a goal. If there wasn't previous planning, it's probably more appropriate to just say 'take action'.