trace the course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trace the course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the progression or development of a particular event, idea, or phenomenon over time. Example: "In her research paper, she aims to trace the course of technological advancements in the last century."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It is also used in investigations to trace the course of compounds in metabolism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The evening does, in fact, trace the course Ms. Child's choreography has taken since the 1970's.

The New York Times

Wandering under its weeping beeches and beside its lily-covered ponds, you can trace the course of American history.

The New York Times

This produces curves that trace the course of an infection through phase space rather than over a more typical timeline.

Stanford University

Davide Ferrario, the latest Italian director to take an interest in The Truce, has chosen to trace the course of Levi's journey in the form of a documentary.

The Guardian - Film

Art /Criticism I will trace the course of these developments by examining the art and writing of one artist each week.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The work traces the course of a day and, by implication, a life.

The New York Times - Arts

Scottish fur trader and explorer who traced the course of the 1,100-mile 1,100-mileRiver in Canada.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He tries making another map of the city in his head and tracing the course of the river.

The Guardian - Books

Each map features a thick black line tracing the course of the railroad from Minneapolis-St.

Cornell University

His narrative has as much to do with getting to know the denizens of Little River as with tracing the course of the events that took place there.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trace the course", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being followed or tracked, such as a historical event, a disease progression, or a person's career.

Common error

Avoid using "trace the course" when simply referring to a brief overview or summary. This phrase implies a detailed and systematic examination of a development over time, so make sure to adjust it if the meaning is something less deep.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trace the course" functions as a verb phrase, often used transitively, requiring an object that represents the path, development, or progression being followed or examined. It indicates a systematic and detailed investigation. Ludwig confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

26%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trace the course" is a commonly used phrase that describes a detailed and systematic examination of how something develops over time. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and applicable across various domains, including news, academia, and science. While alternatives like "follow the trajectory" or "chart the progress" exist, "trace the course" specifically implies a comprehensive analysis. Be mindful of the scope when using this phrase, ensuring it aligns with the level of detail in your analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

follow the trajectory

This alternative focuses on the path or route taken by something, often implying a predictive aspect.

chart the progress

This emphasizes the monitoring and documenting of advancements or evolution.

track the development

This highlights the observation and recording of growth or changes over time.

map the evolution

This option focuses on illustrating the stages of transformation or adaptation.

outline the history

This is used to give a summary of all the main points of something.

recount the events

This suggests narrating or telling a series of occurrences in sequence.

detail the unfolding

Focuses on explaining how something is gradually revealed or develops.

investigate the origins

This emphasizes a thorough examination of the beginning or source of something.

examine the roots

This suggests an analysis of the foundations or underlying causes.

study the advancement

Focuses on analyzing a progressive movement or improvement.

FAQs

How can I use "trace the course" in a sentence?

You can use "trace the course" to describe following the development or progression of something, such as "The historian aimed to trace the course of the French Revolution".

What are some alternatives to "trace the course"?

You can use alternatives like "follow the trajectory", "chart the progress", or "track the development" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "trace the course" in formal writing?

Yes, "trace the course" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic, scientific, and professional contexts where detailed analysis is required.

What does "trace the course" imply about the analysis being conducted?

"Trace the course" suggests a comprehensive and methodical examination of how something has evolved or progressed over time, often involving the identification of key stages and influences.