while on the course

USAGE SUMMARY

'while on the course' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an activity or experience that took place during a particular course. For example, "During my Spanish course, I found it helpful to practice my pronunciation with a native speaker while on the course."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Indeed, she obtained her current job through meeting the co-founder of Twitter while on the course.

Independent

Most of the students on the MA in art and design at Teesside University set up small businesses while on the course, says Joanne Riddle, who won the university's innovation award in 2008.

Independent

While on the course, Thompson was still on salary at Mewburn Ellis, and the firm paid her course fees.

Science Magazine

That was what Hoffmann ate while on the course — a hunk of good old American buffalo — without the aid of a knife and fork.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Make sure your cell phone is either off or on silent while on the golf course.

WikiHow

Some (20%) also said that their IC improved more than their LC because they paid more attention to the cultural content while studying on the course.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

As the team become familiar with the Monrovians, they visit some of the most dangerous spots in the city: jails, brothels and heroin dens, all the while on a course of nightmare-inducing malaria medication.

Vice

The temperature reached 80 degrees while Rock was on the course Thursday, and there were 30-mile-per-hour gusts.

The New York Times - Sports

You go out there in a more relaxed atmosphere and talk to people while you're on the course".

The New York Times - Sports

So while the focus on the course this week will be on Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and the rest of the elite 30-member field, the dispute concerning Augusta is sure to continue.

The New York Times - Sports

Seven players were tied for the clubhouse lead at three-under-par 69 -- Mark Calcavecchia, Jeff Sluman, David Toms, Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Brian Gay and Steve Lowery -- while those still on the course at three under par were Frank Lickliter (12 holes), Carl Paulson (17 holes) and Grant Waite (nine holes).

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while on the course" to clearly indicate actions or experiences that occur specifically during a period of study or training. For example, "While on the course, I developed essential skills in data analysis."

Common error

Avoid misusing "coarse", which means rough or unrefined, instead of "course", referring to a program of study or a route. Always double-check your spelling to ensure clarity in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while on the course" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when an action occurs. Ludwig examples show it specifying the timing of events relative to participation in a course of study or a physical route.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while on the course" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to provide temporal context, indicating when an action or event occurs during a specific program of study or a physical route. According to Ludwig, the phrase is more frequently found in "News & Media" sources. While the phrase is not particularly common, it is versatile enough for neutral contexts. Consider using alternatives like "during the course" for similar meaning with slight differences in emphasis. Remember to differentiate 'course' from 'coarse' to avoid spelling errors. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "while on the course" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the course

This alternative is shorter and more direct, focusing on the duration of the course.

whilst taking the course

This alternative uses a more formal conjunction, 'whilst', and the verb 'taking' to describe enrollment.

during the program

This alternative is more generic, replacing 'course' with 'program'.

during the curriculum

This alternative focuses on the content studied, using 'curriculum' instead of 'course'.

as part of the course

This alternative suggests the action is an integrated element of the course.

on the program

This alternative is a more concise and informal way to refer to being enrolled in a program.

during studies

This alternative emphasizes the academic context with a broader focus on 'studies'.

during training

This alternative focuses on skill development, using 'training' instead of 'course'.

attending the course

This alternative highlights the act of attending or participating in the course.

in the duration of the course

This alternative uses a more verbose structure to express the same timeframe.

FAQs

How can I use "while on the course" in a sentence?

Use "while on the course" to specify that an event or activity happened during a specific period of study. For example, "I met several important contacts "while on the course"".

What is a good alternative to "while on the course"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives like "during the course", "during the program", or "as part of the curriculum". These options can provide similar meaning with slight differences in emphasis.

Is it correct to say "whilst on the course" instead of "while on the course"?

"Whilst on the course" is grammatically correct, with 'whilst' being a more formal version of 'while'. Both phrases convey the same meaning, so the choice depends on the desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "while on the course" and "during the course"?

Both "while on the course" and "during the course" indicate that something happened within the timeframe of a course. "During the course" may slightly emphasize the overall duration, while "while on the course" may focus more on specific events that occurred at some point within that timeframe.