over the course of
prep. phr..prep. phr.. during a specific period of time while something is happening.
prep. phr.. a complex prepositional phrase used to indicate duration or the progression of time within a specified period.
Over the course of the week, the weather improved.
Over the course of the meeting, we discussed several important changes to the project.
The company's market share grew significantly over the course of the last decade despite intense global competition.
usually followed by a noun phrase representing a period of time or a process.
this is a more formal and precise alternative to 'during' or 'throughout' and is common in academic or professional writing.
in the course of the yearover the course of the yearwhile 'in the course of' is also correct, 'over' is more common when emphasizing the entire duration of a period.