Formulate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Formulate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the action of creating or devising something, such as a plan, idea, or formula. Example: "Please formulate a strategy to improve our marketing efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The RCN calls on MPs to formulate policies for the future of nursing based on these priorities, which have patient care at their heart".

The Guardian

This was very helpful in allowing us to formulate our ideas, with many coming from her".

The Guardian

No attempt to then put "things" into perspective, to formulate a theory of liberalism or intervention or anything that stands up in relation to all circumstances.

The Guardian

Labiofam spent 18 months working with a French company, Robertet, to formulate the scents, uncorked this week at a launch event in Havana.

The Guardian

Abbott's "enemies" will have to formulate clear alternative revenue raising measures, not just by closing privileged entitlements, but by using a creative set of massive capital raisings (a minimum of $50bn per annum or less than 3% from the $1.9tn superannuation system) in the form of compulsory levies, social infrastructure bonds and the like, in return for continued favourable tax treatment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Historic news from United States of America, where the White House must now formulate its response to a petition calling for malfunctioning pop overlord Justin Bieber to be deported back to Canada whence he came.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His version was made from two toughened strips coated with saltpetre and bound with Manila paper (today's crackers use silver formulate).

The Guardian

Torino struggled to formulate a response.

The Guardian - Sport

They quickly promised movement on tax cuts for business.People who helped to formulate the growth strategy say that Mr Abe and his cabinet will go much further once the party wins control of the upper house next month, as it is expected to do.

The Economist

Dr Etiope has received research funding from Petrobras, Brazil's state-owned oil giant, to formulate an estimate for the worldwide abiotic methane reserve.

The Economist

Officials at Said, who insist this is not their normal method of fund-raising, are currently working with their new benefactors to formulate a plan for how to award the money.The Terry PrizeThe Academy of Management has awarded this year's George R. Terry Book Award to Mark De Rond, of Cambridge's Judge Business School.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "formulate" when you want to emphasize the clear and systematic expression of an idea, plan, or method.

Common error

While "formulate" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for alternatives like "create" or "develop" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "formulate" is as a transitive verb. As stated by Ludwig AI, the word is correct and usable in written English. It signifies the action of creating or expressing something in a clear and systematic way. This is evident across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formulate" is a transitive verb with a formal register, predominantly used in news, business, and scientific contexts to express the careful and systematic creation of ideas or plans. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While grammatically sound, it's best suited for formal settings, with alternatives like "develop" or "create" being more appropriate for informal communication. When using "formulate", aim to emphasize the precise and deliberate nature of the creation process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Develop

Focuses more on the process of growth and refinement.

Devise

Implies ingenuity and inventiveness in planning.

Create

Emphasizes bringing something new into existence.

Construct

Implies building something methodically.

Conceptualize

Focuses on forming an idea or concept in the mind.

Draft

Suggests a preliminary version or outline.

Frame

Implies structuring or outlining something.

Fashion

Implies shaping or molding something carefully.

Compose

Suggests arranging elements into a coherent whole.

Prepare

Focuses on making something ready for use.

FAQs

How can I use "formulate" in a sentence?

You can use "formulate" when you want to express the action of creating or devising something, such as a plan, idea, or formula. For example, "The scientists needed to "formulate" a hypothesis before beginning the experiment."

What can I say instead of "formulate"?

You can use alternatives like "develop", "devise", or "create" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "formulate a plan" or "make a plan"?

"Formulate a plan" is more formal and implies a careful, systematic approach. "Make a plan" is more general and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "formulate" and "implement"?

"Formulate" means to create or develop something, such as a plan or strategy. "Implement" means to put that plan or strategy into action.