what course of action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what course of action" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about the appropriate steps or decisions to take in a particular situation. Example: "After reviewing the situation, we need to determine what course of action to take next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But determining exactly how and what course of action to take is a tricky business.

The New Yorker

• During a conversation on Monday, Newkirk seemed undecided on what course of action she would take.

The New York Times - Sports

I plan to use that time to decide what course of action to take".

The New York Times - Sports

How would you monitor the waters, what course of action would you take against suspected pirates?

The New York Times

Many groups are still considering, in light of the upcoming copyright expiration date, what course of action to take.

The New Yorker

It is now for the tribunal to decide to hear the allegations and decide what course of action to take".

The Guardian

The FA confirmed they are "considering video evidence of the incident before deciding upon what course of action take".

The Guardian - Sport

Democratic leaders said they would be meeting over the weekend to decide what course of action to take.

The New York Times

In response to the examiner's verdict he said: "We're reviewing it and we'll be announcing tomorrow what course of action we'll be taking after we meet tonight".

Independent

Commissioner Bud Selig acknowledged yesterday that Barry Bonds is on his mind, but he said he had not decided what course of action to follow.

The New York Times

No decision regarding what course of action it will take is expected before the end of next week at the earliest.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a decision-making process, use "what course of action" to clearly indicate the selection of a strategy or plan. For example, "After considering all options, the committee decided what course of action to pursue."

Common error

Avoid using "what course of action" when there is no intention to act. The phrase implies a deliberate decision to take specific steps, so ensure there's an actual plan involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what course of action" functions as an interrogative phrase introducing an indirect question, or as a noun phrase functioning as the object of a verb (e.g., 'decide what course of action'). As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what course of action" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to inquire about or describe a planned strategy. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is frequently found in news and media, but also appears in scientific and formal contexts. While there are various alternatives, such as "which steps to take" or "how to proceed", the choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality. When using the phrase, ensure there's a genuine intention to act, and tailor your choice of words to suit your audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how to proceed

A more general way of asking about the next steps.

which steps to take

Focuses on the individual steps involved, rather than the overall plan.

what plan to implement

Emphasizes the plan being put into action.

what measures to adopt

Emphasizes the specific actions being implemented.

what strategy to employ

Highlights the strategic aspect of the decision.

how to handle the situation

Addresses the manner of dealing with circumstances.

which route to follow

Implies a predetermined path or set of guidelines.

what direction to head in

Focuses on the overall direction rather than specific actions.

what tactic to use

Suggests a specific, often short-term, approach.

what the best move is

Suggests a strategic decision to gain an advantage.

FAQs

How can I use "what course of action" in a sentence?

Use "what course of action" to inquire about or describe the specific steps or strategy that will be taken in a given situation. For example, "The board needs to decide "what course of action" to take in response to the declining sales".

What's a more formal way to say "what course of action"?

In a more formal context, you might use phrases like "what measures to adopt" or "what strategy to employ" instead of "what course of action".

How does "what course of action" differ from "how to proceed"?

"What course of action" implies a more structured and planned approach, while "how to proceed" is a more general inquiry about the next steps to take.

Is "what course of action" appropriate for informal writing?

While "what course of action" is suitable for many contexts, in informal writing, you might prefer simpler alternatives like "which steps to take" or "what to do".