a first draft of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a first draft of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the initial version of a long written work, such as a book, a document, or an essay. For example, "I've finished a first draft of my new novel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I don't usually turn to the books until I've got a first draft of my story.

The New Yorker

Did you write a first draft of an article that is due next week?

The New York Times

3. Write and peer edit a first draft of a musical composition or poem.

The New York Times

The following five statements are a first draft of what a privacy charter could look like.

The Guardian

So in August 1999 we published a first draft of the regulations.

The New York Times

The Hale story seems like a first draft of Monroe's final scene.

The New York Times

Consequently, was made a first draft of the hyper- rationalistic model of curriculum development.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

AAS made the experiments and wrote a first draft of the manuscript.

Nanoscale Research Letters

WT wrote a first draft of the paper.

Conflict and Health

NR-T performed the analyses and wrote a first draft of the manuscript.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Phase 1 describes the process of developing a 'first draft' of the website.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Clearly indicate that something is "a first draft of" something. This can signal that the content is preliminary and open to feedback, encouraging collaboration and improvement.

Common error

Don't treat "a first draft of" any document as the finished product. Always revise, edit, and proofread to ensure clarity, accuracy, and completeness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a first draft of" functions as a modifier clarifying the stage or version of a document, plan, or creative work. Ludwig's examples confirm its role in describing preliminary versions across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

41%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a first draft of" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the initial version of a document, plan, or creative work. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's used across diverse contexts, from scientific publications and news articles to general writing. The phrase signals that the work is preliminary and subject to revision. Related phrases include "a preliminary version of" and "an initial outline of". When using this phrase, avoid treating the draft as a final version and always revise thoroughly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary version of

Replaces "first draft" with a synonym, maintaining the sense of an initial version.

an initial outline of

Substitutes "draft" with "outline", emphasizing the structural aspect of the first version.

a rough copy of

Uses "rough copy" instead of "first draft", highlighting the unpolished nature of the initial version.

a trial version of

Emphasizes the experimental aspect, suggesting the version is subject to change.

a working draft of

Highlights that the draft is in progress and subject to further development.

a prototype of

Implies an early model created for testing and refinement.

an early rendition of

Replaces "draft" with "rendition", suggesting a performance or interpretation of the initial work.

a preliminary sketch of

Uses "sketch" to imply a quick, initial drawing or outline.

a precursory account of

Emphasizes that this is the first telling or description, likely followed by more detailed accounts.

a nascent form of

Focuses on the early stage of development, highlighting potential for future growth.

FAQs

What is meant by "a first draft of" something?

The phrase "a first draft of" refers to the initial version of a written document or creative work, typically created before revisions, edits, and improvements are made. It is a preliminary version that is subject to change.

How do you use "a first draft of" in a sentence?

You can use "a first draft of" to describe the stage of a document. For example: "I have completed "a preliminary version of" my essay" or "The editor reviewed "a rough copy of" the report".

What can I say instead of "a first draft of"?

You can use alternatives like ""a preliminary version of"", "an initial outline of", or ""a rough copy of"" depending on the context.

What is the purpose of creating "a first draft of" a document?

The purpose of creating "a first draft of" a document is to get initial ideas down on paper without focusing on perfection. It serves as a foundation for subsequent revisions and refinements.