took the course

USAGE SUMMARY

'took the course' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about a specific course someone completed. For example: "John took the course last semester and now he's an expert in the subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Eye-opener: I took the course.

The New York Times

Forty police officers took the course.

The New York Times

About 200 students took the course this fall.

The New York Times

Last year, about 35,000 people took the course.

The New York Times

(In 1970, when he arrived, few took the course; in time, hundreds enrolled).

The Economist

Ms. Ziegler took the course and was promptly certified in the new field.

The New York Times

Students who took the course were studying abroad, or had a scheduling conflict, and took the course — lectures, labs, problem sets (p-sets) and exams — entirely online.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Last year, 500 participants from 70 different countries took the course.

Harvard University

For instance, when I took the course as a student, I was in the race dialogue.

Cornell University

I thought I had my seat in right until I took the course.

The New York Times

"At first, I took the course because my dad pretty much mandated it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took the course", ensure the context clearly indicates which course is being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses. For example, use "took the course" for past events, not "take the course" when referring to something that has already happened.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took the course" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of participating in and completing a course. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Examples show it used in various contexts to describe educational experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took the course" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe someone's participation in a course of study. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its frequent appearance across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. The phrase is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, clarity is key, ensure the specific course is clearly referenced. Common errors include incorrect tense usage. Alternative phrases like "enrolled in the course" or "completed the course" can provide nuanced meanings depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completed the course

Highlights the successful finish and attainment of the course requirements.

enrolled in the course

Focuses on the act of formally registering for the course.

undertook the course

A more formal way of saying someone started and engaged with the course.

participated in the course

Emphasizes active involvement and engagement during the course.

followed the course

Implies adherence to the course structure and curriculum.

attended the course

Focuses on physical presence and attendance in the course sessions.

pursued the course

Emphasizes the active choice and dedication to following the course.

studied the course

Highlights the focus on learning the content of the course.

was a student in the course

Highlights the role of the individual as a learner within the course.

sat in on the course

Suggests a less formal or official participation in the course.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "took the course"?

It means that someone enrolled in and participated in a specific course of study.

What can I say instead of "took the course"?

You can use alternatives like "enrolled in the course", "participated in the course", or "completed the course" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "take the course" when referring to a past event?

No, it's not correct. You should use "took the course" for past events. "Take the course" is used for present or future actions.

What is the difference between "attended the course" and "took the course"?

"Attended the course" ("attended the course") emphasizes physical presence, while "took the course" implies active participation and engagement with the course material.