taking a course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking a course" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of enrolling in or participating in an educational program or class. Example: "I am currently taking a course on digital marketing to enhance my skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Oh, you're taking a course in conversation?" Martin's character asks.

The New York Times - Books

So he is taking a course in Arizona history.

The New York Times - Tech

"Taking a course in art, for Pete's sake.

The New York Times - Arts

I will, of naturally, be taking a course in semiotics.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But imagine that you are taking a course in microbiology.

The New Yorker

leaving the market or taking a course in investment semantics.

The New Yorker

After taking a course in public speaking in 1959, however, she became an excellent extemporaneous speaker.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A suburban matron has been taking a course in dramatic reading.

The New Yorker

They decided to find out by taking a course in table manners.

The New York Times

I went to Wellesley College, and I started by taking a course on the Old Testament.

The New York Times

That led him to taking a course at the Los Angeles County sheriff's department.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the reason for "taking a course", specify the subject or field to provide context. For example, "taking a course in data science".

Common error

Avoid using "on" instead of "in" when referring to the subject of the course. It's better to say "taking a course in history" than "taking a course on history".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking a course" functions as a verb phrase acting as the predicate of a clause. It indicates the action of enrolling in and participating in a course of study. Ludwig shows examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taking a course" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe enrolling in and participating in an educational program. Ludwig confirms its frequent use across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "enrolling in a course" or "attending a course" exist, "taking a course" remains a versatile and widely understood option. Remember to use the preposition "in" when specifying the subject of the course for clarity. As Ludwig AI demonstrates, the phrase serves to inform others about educational pursuits in both casual and formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enrolling in a course

Emphasizes the act of formally registering for a course.

registering for a course

Similar to enrolling, highlighting the registration process.

participating in a course

Focuses on active involvement in the course activities.

attending a course

Highlights physical presence and attendance in the course.

undertaking a course

Suggests a more serious or significant commitment to the course.

pursuing a course

Implies actively working towards completion of a course.

studying a course

Emphasizes the academic aspect of learning in a course.

taking up a course

Suggests initiating or beginning a course of study.

doing a course

A more informal way of saying taking a course, common in some dialects.

following a course

Implies adhering to the curriculum and structure of a course.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "taking a course"?

Saying someone is "taking a course" means they are enrolled in and participating in a class or educational program, usually for a specific period of time.

What can I say instead of "taking a course"?

You can use alternatives like "enrolling in a course", "attending a course", or "registering for a course" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "taking a course in" and "taking a course on"?

While both are used, "taking a course in" generally refers to studying a specific field or subject, while "taking a course on" can sometimes imply a more general overview of a topic. For many contexts, they are interchangeable, but "in" is often preferred for academic settings.

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

You can use "taking a course" in a sentence like this: "She is "taking a course" in graphic design to improve her skills" or "I am "taking a course" at the local college to learn Spanish".