courses
courses — verb
- coursespresent simple I / you / we / they
- courseses3rd person singular
- coursesing-ing form
- coursesedpast simple
1. to move rapidly and smoothly, like a liquid running through a channel or spread
to move rapidly and smoothly, like a liquid running through a channel or spread across a surface
Tears coursed down Wei's face as she read the farewell letter from her grandmother.
course down [body part]
The cool mountain water courses through the narrow valley after the spring thaw.
course through [place]
Adrenaline coursed through Lucas's body as he prepared for the final jump.
Blood courses through the veins of every living creature, carrying oxygen to the cells.
A feeling of relief coursed through the crowd when the lost child was found safe.
- trickle
suggests a slow, small amount of liquid moving weakly
文法句型
course + prepositional phrase (through/down/along/across)
用法筆記
The subject is usually a liquid (tears, blood, water) or an abstract emotion that moves as if it were a liquid. Frequently used in literary or descriptive writing. The verb is almost always followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the route.
常見錯誤
courses — noun
1. a programme of study sessions that teaches a specific topic and often ends with
a programme of study sessions that teaches a specific topic and often ends with a test or the award of a certificate
Rachid signed up for a course in digital photography at the local college.
course in [subject] — sign up for a course
The university offers a course on medieval history every autumn.
course on [topic] — university offer
Shirin is taking an online course to improve her written English.
James completed a three-year nursing course and passed his final exams.
This introductory course covers the basics of computer programming for beginners.
文法句型
course in [subject]
course on [topic]
take/do/enrol on a course
用法筆記
Countable noun. Often used with 'in' for academic subjects and 'on' for topics. Common verbs: take, do, enrol on, sign up for, complete, offer.
常見錯誤
2. a piece of ground or a stretch of water specially prepared for people to play a
a piece of ground or a stretch of water specially prepared for people to play a sport or take part in a race
The golf course winds through a forest with beautiful views of the lake.
golf course + location description
Runners found the muddy course very slippery after the heavy rain.
The race course takes cyclists through five small villages in the valley.
Naoko prefers a shorter golf course when she plays at the weekend.
文法句型
golf course
race course
obstacle course
用法筆記
Common in compound nouns such as 'golf course', 'racecourse', 'obstacle course'. The word itself forms part of the name of the place.
常見錯誤
3. the continuous progress or natural development of events, actions, or changes ov
the continuous progress or natural development of events, actions, or changes over a period of time — for example, the course of a disease, a river, or a relationship
The natural course of the illness varies greatly from person to person.
course of [an illness] — natural development
Over the course of the project, the team made several important discoveries.
The course of the river was changed by the powerful earthquake last year.
These early decisions will shape the course of the company's future growth.
Priya decided to let the situation run its course rather than interfere.
- progress
focuses on forward movement toward a goal
- development
emphasises how something grows or changes over time
- process
a series of steps or stages
文法句型
the course of [something]
over the course of [time period]
run its course
用法筆記
Often appears in fixed expressions such as 'in the course of', 'over the course of', and 'run its course'. Distinguish from sense 4: this sense describes a natural or temporal progression, not a chosen method of acting.
常見錯誤
4. a particular way of doing something or dealing with a situation, especially when
a particular way of doing something or dealing with a situation, especially when choosing between different options
The manager chose a different course of action after hearing the staff feedback.
course of action — chosen plan
Sofie decided that the safest course was to speak to her supervisor first.
Following the usual course, the report will be reviewed by the legal team.
Taking a firm course with the children helped improve their behaviour at school.
文法句型
course of action
course to take
follow a course
用法筆記
Typically appears in the phrase 'course of action', referring to a chosen plan or method. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense describes a deliberate choice, not a natural or inevitable development.
常見錯誤
5. the path or direction along which a vehicle, ship, or aircraft travels, or the l
the path or direction along which a vehicle, ship, or aircraft travels, or the line that a river or moving object follows
The captain changed course to avoid the storm approaching from the south.
change course — alter direction
The plane set a course directly toward the airport after the emergency call.
The river takes a winding course through the mountains before reaching the coast.
The ship's course was adjusted slightly due to strong winds over the Atlantic.
文法句型
change course
set a course
hold to a course
be on course
用法筆記
Commonly used with verbs like 'change', 'set', 'hold to', 'alter', 'adjust'. Frequently appears in nautical and aviation contexts. Can also describe a river's path.
常見錯誤
6. each individual dish that is brought to the table in turn during a multi-dish me
each individual dish that is brought to the table in turn during a multi-dish meal, such as a light starter or a heavy meat dish
For the main course, Kofi ordered grilled fish with roasted vegetables.
main course — the largest part of a meal
The first course at the wedding dinner was a light tomato soup.
first course — starter
Ayesha chose pasta as her main course and a green salad to start.
Each course of the tasting menu was paired with a different wine.
文法句型
first course
main course
dessert course
用法筆記
Typically used with position labels: first course, main course, dessert course. Not used for a single snack or a whole meal eaten at once. Common in restaurant and formal dining contexts.
常見錯誤
7. a planned series of medical treatments or medications that a patient receives ov
a planned series of medical treatments or medications that a patient receives over a set period, aimed at a specific illness or condition
The doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics for Sahil's chest infection.
course of + medication type
Camila finished her course of chemotherapy last month.
Patients must complete the full course of treatment even if they feel better.
Yasmin started a new course of medication for her allergy.
The hospital offered a short course of physical therapy after Hugo's operation.
文法句型
course of + treatment/medication
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'of' plus the type of treatment, e.g. course of antibiotics, course of chemotherapy.
常見錯誤
8. a single horizontal row of bricks, stones, or other material that makes up one l
a single horizontal row of bricks, stones, or other material that makes up one level in a wall or structure built from stacked units
The bricklayer checked the level of each course of bricks.
course of + building material
A wooden beam was set into the course of stone blocks.
The wall's top course of stones was cracked after the earthquake.
Quan pointed out a gap in the lower course of masonry.
文法句型
course of + building material
用法筆記
Primarily a technical term in construction and masonry. A single course is one horizontal row; walls are built by stacking courses on top of one another.
9. used in the fixed phrase 'in the course of' to mean during a particular process,
used in the fixed phrase 'in the course of' to mean during a particular process, event, or period, often showing that something happens within that timeframe
In the course of the meeting, several new ideas came up.
in the course of + event/process
Many important changes happened in the course of the project.
In the course of human history, languages are always changing.
The team solved several problems in the course of their research.
- during
shorter and more direct, same basic meaning
- throughout
emphasises the entire duration rather than just a point within it
文法句型
in the course of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Always appears within the fixed phrase 'in the course of' followed by a noun phrase describing the process or event. Do not confuse with 'in the course of time', which is a separate fixed expression meaning 'eventually'.
常見錯誤
10. used in the fixed phrase 'over the course of' to describe a development or chang
used in the fixed phrase 'over the course of' to describe a development or change that happens gradually throughout a particular period of time
Over the course of the summer, the garden grew thick and wild.
over the course of + time period
Nikos improved his English over the course of two years.
The city changed a lot over the course of a decade.
Temperatures dropped steadily over the course of the week.
- gradually
a single adverb with the same meaning, more direct
- throughout
focuses on the full duration rather than the gradual nature
文法句型
over the course of + time period
用法筆記
Always appears within the fixed phrase 'over the course of' followed by a time period. Emphasises gradual change or progression rather than a single event.
11. used in the fixed phrase 'a matter of course' to describe an outcome that is nat
used in the fixed phrase 'a matter of course' to describe an outcome that is naturally expected because of how things normally work
Given her talent, her success was a matter of course.
a matter of course
Given his experience, it was a matter of course that Selim would lead the team.
The promotion came as a matter of course after five years of good work.
Rain is a matter of course during the monsoon season in this country.
When you train hard every day, improvement is a matter of course.
- naturally
common adverb expressing the same idea of expected outcome
- predictably
slightly more formal, emphasises prior knowledge of the outcome
- unexpectedly
describes a surprising outcome
文法句型
a matter of course
of course (naturally expected)
用法筆記
Distinguish from the everyday use of 'of course' as an affirmative reply ('Of course I will help you'). This sense describes an outcome that follows naturally from the situation, not agreement or permission.
常見錯誤
courses — idiom
1. an old-fashioned or formal word for the monthly flow of blood from the womb that
an old-fashioned or formal word for the monthly flow of blood from the womb that women of childbearing age go through as part of the natural reproductive cycle
Ingrid recorded in her journal that her courses arrived three days late that month.
historical or diary context
The doctor told the young woman that irregular courses were common for someone her age.
Maja asked her grandmother what "courses" meant in the old novel.
The 1872 letter noted that Lady Whitmore's courses had stopped, suggesting a pregnancy.
Aylin found "courses" in a Victorian medical book given by her professor.
- period
standard everyday term in modern English
- menstruation
formal medical term used in clinical contexts
- monthly
informal euphemism, slightly old-fashioned but still used
文法句型
[possessive pronoun] + courses
the courses
用法筆記
Dated term — this sense would sound unusual in modern everyday conversation. It appears mainly in historical fiction, old letters, diaries, and early medical texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries.