undertake a course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undertake a course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of enrolling in or committing to a specific educational program or class. Example: "After much consideration, I decided to undertake a course in digital marketing to enhance my skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

All staff and managers undertake a course on preventing and addressing harassment, including sexual harassment, while additional sessions have recently been introduced.

The Guardian

All new students admitted to Texas A&M University at Qatar undertake a course entitled Foundations of Engineering I (ENGR 111); an introduction to the engineering profession and its required skills.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Rami Abdulrahman, the Observatory's head, said anyone seemed to be supporting President Bashar al-Assad would be "punished" and others would be forced to undertake a "course" in Isis ideology.

Independent

Drivers newly acquiring a super licence required to compete in F1 should undertake a course, and pass a test, to familiarise themselves with safety procedures for an event and the regulations.

The Guardian - Sport

"However, it would not be appropriate to undertake a course of action that could potentially change the employment status of more than 133,000 police officers if fewer than half of those officers have voted for us to do so".

The Guardian

As Chomsky puts it near the beginning of Necessary Illusions, "citizens of the democratic societies should undertake a course of intellectual self-defense to protect themselves from manipulation and control".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I recently undertook a course in English language teaching at the Intensive School of English & Business Communication in Brighton and Hove.

Independent

Animal is in anger management, undertaking a course of therapy, success of which is predicated on nobody mentioning the D-word.

The Guardian - Film

Instead, Turing was left humiliated when he was charged and convicted of public indecency and, instead of serving a prison sentence, voluntarily undertook a course of chemical castration.

The Guardian - Opinion

This study developed a quantitative methodology to ascertain lead indicators of student sense of community whilst undertaking a course of study.

The Internet and Higher Education

Below stairs, Thomas had undertaken a course of electrotherapy – "to change me, to make me more like other people, other men".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undertake a course", ensure the context implies a formal or committed engagement with the educational material. It is often used when emphasizing the effort and dedication required.

Common error

Avoid using "undertake a course" in very casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "take a class" or "do a course" are often more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undertake a course" functions as a verb phrase, where "undertake" acts as a transitive verb indicating the beginning or commitment to the action of studying. As Ludwig confirms, the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

31%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undertake a course" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that signifies a commitment to studying a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, its formality makes it more appropriate for academic, professional, or otherwise serious contexts. While alternatives like "take a course" or "enroll in a course" exist, "undertake a course" emphasizes the deliberate and effortful nature of the learning process. Although not extremely frequent, this phrase is commonly found in news, scientific, and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enroll in a course

Focuses specifically on the act of registering for a course.

take a course

A more common and general way to express participation in a course.

pursue a course

Emphasizes the active effort and commitment involved in completing a course.

engage in a course

Highlights active participation and involvement in the course material.

participate in a course

Similar to 'engage in', but with a slightly broader scope of involvement.

attend a course

Focuses on the act of being present at the course sessions.

study a course

Emphasizes the academic aspect of learning the course material.

complete a course

Focuses on finishing or successfully passing the course.

embark on a course

Suggests a more significant and deliberate commitment to the course.

undergo a training program

Refers specifically to a structured training experience.

FAQs

What does "undertake a course" mean?

To "undertake a course" means to begin or commit to a course of study, implying a deliberate and often formal engagement with the subject matter.

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

You can use alternatives like "enroll in a course", "take a course", or "pursue a course" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "undertake a course" than "take a course"?

Yes, "undertake a course" is generally more formal and suggests a more serious commitment than "take a course".

When is it appropriate to use "undertake a course"?

It's appropriate when discussing formal education, professional development, or any situation where you want to emphasize the dedication and effort involved in studying a subject.