audit a class

Meaning

To attend a university course for enjoyment or self-improvement without receiving official academic credit or a grade. Students who audit a class usually do not have to take exams or submit homework, though they still need the professor's permission to join.

Examples

• I decided to audit a class on ancient history just because I am interested in the subject.

  I decided to audit a class on ancient history just because I am interested in the subject.

• You do not have to worry about the midterm exam if you are only auditing the class.

  You do not have to worry about the midterm exam if you are only auditing the class.

• The professor allowed me to audit her class, but she asked me not to participate in the group projects.

  The professor allowed me to audit her class, but she asked me not to participate in the group projects.

• Is it possible to audit a class at this university without being enrolled as a full-time student?

  Is it possible to audit a class at this university without being enrolled as a full-time student?

• I wanted to audit a class in creative writing, but the room was already at full capacity.

  I wanted to audit a class in creative writing, but the room was already at full capacity.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to hear a class this semester without taking exams.

  ✓ I want to audit a class this semester without taking exams.

  Non-native speakers often translate literally from their L1 (like 'hear' or 'listen to' a class), but the correct academic term for attending a course without credit is 'audit'.

• ✗ He is auditing to a chemistry course.

  ✓ He is auditing a chemistry course.

  The verb 'audit' is transitive in this context and does not require the preposition 'to' before the noun.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I do not need the credits, so I think I will just ___ the advanced literature course.

  💡 The verb meaning to attend a class without getting a grade or credit.

  Show answer

  audit

• If you ___ a class, do you still have to buy the textbook?

  💡 This action allows you to learn the material without taking the exams.

  Show answer

  audit