a draught

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a draught" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a current of air, a draft of a document, or a serving of a drink, particularly beer. Example: "After a long day, I enjoyed a refreshing draught of ale at the pub."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So I thought maybe it's a draught.

The Guardian - Film

"This whole book is but a draught — nay, but the draught of a draught.

The New Yorker

Everywhere I go there seems to be a draught.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A draught beer and a cappucino are each about 140 lek.

The Guardian - Travel

It's so fluid; the moment someone walks by or a draught catches it, it comes alive.

The Guardian

(Whatever you do, don't leave them in a draught – they'll collapse).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But they need a draught or two between the lines … " the poet told Boran.

The Guardian - Books

Arm wrestling, a draught horse show, cattle parade and oxen pull are on the agenda for Sunday.

The New York Times

I spent an afternoon recently making a draught snake, as part of this [climate change] campaign for Together.

The Guardian

So it would be a crime if I didn't take a draught now and then, wouldn't it?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For bereft Kerr aficionados, this is a draught of vintage, as themes of redemption are grippingly explored.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a beer served from a tap, "a draught" is the traditional and appropriate term. Use it to add a touch of authenticity or old-world charm to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "draft" when you mean "draught" in the context of beer. "Draft" typically refers to preliminary versions of documents or conscription, whereas "draught" denotes beer from a tap or a current of air.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a draught" is that of a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It often specifies a quantity of liquid, usually an alcoholic beverage, or a current of air. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a draught" is a grammatically correct noun phrase with multiple meanings, primarily referring to a serving of beer from a tap or a current of air. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. Its frequency is high, appearing across diverse contexts such as news, scientific articles, and general knowledge resources. When describing the liquid, the best alternative will be ""a serving of beer"", for example. While versatile, it's essential to differentiate "draught" from "draft" to avoid lexical confusion, particularly in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serving of beer

Refers specifically to the quantity of beer being served, replacing the more general term "draught".

a current of air

Specifically refers to moving air, as one sense of "draught", changing the word "draught" for the more common "current".

a stream of air

Similar to a current of air, replacing the archaic term "draught" with a common word.

a pull of cider

A specific term for taking a drink of cider from a barrel. Swapping beer for cider.

a portion of ale

Refers to a measured quantity of ale, a specific type of beer, served for consumption.

a gust of wind

Focuses on the sudden and forceful nature of the air movement, while "draught" can be gentle.

a serving of liquor

Generalizes the type of alcoholic beverage, substituting the specific type of beer.

a measure of liquid

Generalizes the quantity of liquid, losing the implication of being directly from a tap or source.

an intake of breath

Shifts the context to breathing, using "draught" in the sense of inhaling air.

a sip of wine

Refers to taking a small taste of the wine.

FAQs

How can I use "a draught" in a sentence?

You can use "a draught" to refer to a serving of beer from a tap, as in, "He ordered "a draught" of pale ale". It can also refer to a current of air.

What does "a draught" mean when referring to beer?

When referring to beer, "a draught" means a serving of beer that is tapped directly from a keg or cask, rather than being bottled or canned.

What can I say instead of "a draught" (beer)?

Alternatives for "a draught" when referring to beer include "a serving of beer", "a glass of beer", or simply "a beer".

Which is correct, "a draught" or "a draft" when talking about beer?

When referring to beer served from a tap, the correct term is "a draught". "A draft" refers to a preliminary version of a document or conscription.