Drew up a list

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Drew up a list" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of creating or compiling a list of items, tasks, or information. Example: "Before the meeting, she drew up a list of topics to discuss with the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I drew up a list.

The New York Times - Food

"Apparently they drew up a list," I say.

The Guardian

They have semiannual family retreats and drew up a list of family values that they enforce.

The New York Times

After hearing presentations from experts on each problem, they drew up a list of priorities.

The Economist

Working the Internet, he drew up a list of grape brokers.

The New York Times - Food

The Shark Fin team drew up a list of fifty options.

The New Yorker

Union representatives drew up a list of concessions in a bid to save the plant.

The New York Times

We previously drew up a list of all known contacts between Russians and Trump campaign advisers.

The Washington Post

I drew up a list of words to look up to compare their styles.

The New York Times - Tech

If I drew up a list, Mr X would soon slap me with a lawsuit.

The Guardian

Stark's representatives drew up a list of nearby establishments with dartboards, noting walking times to each.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: While versatile, this phrase might sound slightly less formal than alternatives like "compiled a list" in some business settings.

Common error

Avoid using "drew up a list" excessively in highly formal or academic writing; opt for more formal synonyms such as "compiled" or "formulated" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "drew up a list" is as a verbal phrase acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the action of creating or compiling a list. Ludwig shows many examples where this phrase indicates preparation or planning, aligning with the 'creating' aspect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

13%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drew up a list" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the action of creating or compiling a list, often with the implication of planning and effort. Ludwig examples show its prevalence in news and media contexts, with a neutral register that suits various writing styles. While versatile, "drew up a list" can be replaced by options such as "compiled a list" or "created a list", depending on the desired level of formality. Despite being deemed correct and usable in written English based on Ludwig AI, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal documents where more sophisticated alternatives may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Compiled a list

Emphasizes gathering information to create the list.

Created a list

A more general term for making a list.

Made a list

A simpler and more informal way of saying the same thing.

Formulated a list

Suggests a more structured and thoughtful process.

Prepared a list

Highlights the readiness or anticipation aspect of creating the list.

Put together a list

Implies assembling the list from different sources.

Developed a list

Suggests a more detailed and progressive creation of the list.

Assembled a list

Highlights the act of gathering items to form the list.

Drafted a list

Implies a preliminary version of the list.

Cataloged

Suggests creating a very detailed and organized list.

FAQs

What does "Drew up a list" mean?

The phrase "Drew up a list" means to create or compile a list, often implying some effort or planning was involved in its creation. It suggests more than simply writing down items; it's about organizing and formalizing them.

What can I say instead of "Drew up a list"?

You can use alternatives like "compiled a list", "created a list", or "formulated a list" depending on the context.

Is "Drew up a list" formal or informal?

The phrase "Drew up a list" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both informal and many formal contexts. However, in highly formal or academic writing, alternatives like "compiled a list" might be preferred.

How to use "Drew up a list" in a sentence?

You can use "Drew up a list" like this: "Before the meeting, she drew up a list of the key topics to discuss" or "The committee drew up a list of recommendations for the new policy".