Over the course of vs Over a course of

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Over the course of' is the more common and idiomatic phrase used to indicate a period of time during which something happens. 'Over a course of' is less common and may be used when referring to a specific course or sequence of events.

Last updated: April 04, 2024 • 202 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a period of time during which something happens.

"Over the course of "

This phrase is used to indicate a period of time during which something happens. It is often followed by a specific duration or event.

Examples:

Over the course of the next year, we will be implementing several changes.
She improved her skills over the course of the training program.
Over the course of the weekend, we visited several museums.
The project evolved over the course of several months.
He learned a lot over the course of his career.

Show examples from the web [+]

Over the course of seven marriages, I've amassed some 32 stepchildren.
Over the course of this trial, we will prove.
Over the course of English parliamentary history there were a number of Acts of Uniformity.
Over the course of human history, starvation has been a much bigger problem than overeating.
Over the course of the 2013 WSOP Kelly has earned nearly $500k.
Over the course of 2016 Modula also opened distribution branches in Bangalore, India and Birmingham, England.
Over the course of these stages, the patient becomes exhausted and emaciated.
Over the course of his career, Scholl published about 180 scientific articles.
Over the course of two days, these awesome brothers landed 80 bass.
Over the course of time the customer included more and more distribution channels.
Over the course of five centuries, this has enabled them to develop a wholly original culture.
Over the course of a century, things are going to happen in a house.
Over the course of a day, we risked our lives to bring you this very special episode.
Over the course of time, as we live together, what used to seem unbearably strange, is more and more familiar to me.
Over the course of my life, I've encountered no shortage of those who would presume to speak of good and evil.
Over the course of her career, she's been doing what she does best... Bringing people together.
Over the course of two months, Brannan managed to recruit 70 men, 68 women, and 100 children-238 persons total.
Over the course of several years, a series of financial setbacks causes Mme. Chanteau to "borrow" from Pauline's inheritance.
Over the course of the book, Varney is presented with increasing sympathy as a victim of circumstances.
Over the course of the following ten years, Marion was arrested nine times for her birth control advocacy.

Alternatives:

During the course of
Throughout the course of
Over the span of
Throughout the duration of
Throughout the period of

This phrase is correct but less common. It may be used when referring to a specific course or sequence of events.

"Over a course of"

This phrase may be used when referring to a specific course or sequence of events. It is less commonly used compared to 'over the course of.'

Show examples from the web [+]

Each athlete got three runs over a course of jumps, bumps and turns.
In cases of chronic arsenic poisoning the level of arsenic in the body can be evaluated from a hair sample, as arsenic is deposited in the hair over a course of time.
This happened to me over a course of about a year. I worked as a taxi driver at the time, driving a minibus.
Here are a couple of reasons why we develop posture problems over a course of time:
Apparently you did it multiple times Over a course of days.
Over a course of more than a decade, numerous financial organizations worldwide have chosen to rely on us. We look forward to serving you.
Apparently you did it multiple times over a course of days.
This is what one of our cameras saw over a course of a few months.
With their backs turned to the cameras they quickly sprayed some astringent on the pillar over a course of weeks...
The total difference in height was 3508 metres: 1614 in ascent and 1894 in descent over a course of more than 18 km.
He did this over a course of three or four years.
THC resulted in a significant reduction of spasticity after a single dose of 10 mg THC and over a course of 6 weeks with individual dosing.
They also warn us that the building of a harmonious society is possible only by an unbroken series of experiments over a course of decades: and not otherwise than upon an international basis.
The loss of weight percentage in clinical studies showed that at least 7.24% decreases over a course of 5 months in clinical studies.
A recent clinical trial involving metformin against a placebo showed that metformin can improve cognitive deficits, such as learning and memory over a course of a couple of months.
The Hotel Show is the largest hotel supply event for the MENA region over a course of 3 days, with an audience of hotel and hospitality trade professionals and is held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Gualdo Tadino (PG) - On August 28th the "La Sfacchinata" national level run over a course of 12 kilometres will depart and arrive at the Luzi town stadium of Gualdo Tadino.
This would mean relinquishing everything that civilized man has won by the most prodigious effort over a course of the past five centuries.
US$333 million or £67 million at the exchange rates of the time) were to be paid as indemnity over a course of 39 years to the eight nations involved.
Terni (TR) - Collestatte (TR). On June 6th the 27th edition of the Massimo Fausti running trophy will be disputed over a course of 12.5 kilometres, with start-off at 9.30am.

Alternatives:

Over a period of
Over a sequence of
Over a series of
Throughout a course of
During a course of

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Over the course of vs Over a course of