according to draft

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "according to draft" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to reference a draft document or version, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "According to the draft, the project deadline has been extended to next month."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

According to draft regulation, trading would be suspended for 30 minutes if the market rose or fell by 5%.

The Guardian - Business

Those risks will not be borne equally, according to draft versions of the report circulated before the meeting.

The Guardian

According to draft regulation, trading would be suspended for 30 minutes when the market rose or fell by 5%.

The Guardian - Business

And conversions will be subject to as yet undefined quotas, according to draft rules from Chinese regulators.

The Washington Post

The bad news, according to draft watchers, is that this year's point guard class will be thin, even if all the top underclassmen enter the draft.

The New York Times - Sports

"The arguments in favour of retaining compulsory Christian worship in UK schools are no longer … convincing," the report says, according to draft seen by the Observer.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

A critical inspection report on the state of Britain's most famous prison appears to have been toned down before publication, according to drafts seen by the Guardian.

The Guardian

The proposed legislation would subject companies to a single set of rules for calculating their taxable profits, according to drafts seen by the Guardian.

The Guardian

But according to drafts of the law seen by the Guardian, the government is also aiming to introduce various public morality provisions in yet another sign of the casual erosion of the small freedoms women have won since 2001.

The Guardian

The deposit would be converted to a fine if the country did not comply with recommendations on how to resolve the issue, according to drafts of a summary of the proposal seen by The International Herald Tribune.

The New York Times

In the Senior Bowl weigh-in at the Mobile Convention Center, Cody tipped the scales at 370 pounds, which hurt his draft status according to NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referencing a draft document, ensure clarity by specifying which version you're referring to (e.g., "According to the March 15 draft..."). This avoids confusion if multiple drafts exist.

Common error

Avoid generic references like "according to draft" without mentioning a date or version number. This can lead to ambiguity and make it difficult to verify information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "according to draft" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing information sourced from a preliminary or unfinalized document. However, Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically questionable and the examples often suggest a need for greater clarity by specifying the specific draft being referenced.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "according to draft" is used to indicate that information comes from a preliminary version of a document. However, Ludwig flags this phrase as grammatically incorrect. Despite its common usage in news, formal, and scientific contexts, it's advisable to provide specific details, such as the draft's date or version number, to enhance clarity. Alternatives like "based on draft" or "in the draft" may offer more concise or precise ways to convey the same meaning. When using this phrase, consider the audience and the level of formality required. Overall, while widely used, attention to detail can greatly improve the clarity and accuracy when referencing draft materials.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

based on draft

Omits "according to" for a more concise statement indicating the information's source is a draft document.

in the draft

Shortens the phrase to specify that the information is present within the draft.

the draft indicates

Replaces "according to" with a verb to show the draft document's content directly.

as per the draft

Uses "as per" as a formal alternative to "according to", indicating adherence to the draft's content.

the draft suggests

Substitutes "according to" with "suggests" to convey that the draft hints at something without explicitly stating it.

preliminary draft states

Adds 'preliminary' and uses 'states' to emphasize the early and unconfirmed nature of the information.

draft version reveals

Uses "reveals" to indicate that the draft version uncovers or makes something known.

the unconfirmed document says

Highlights the uncertainty by calling the document "unconfirmed" and using "says".

from the provisional draft

Specifies the draft as "provisional", implying it's subject to change.

the draft outlines

Replaces "according to" with "outlines" to show that the draft sketches the main points.

FAQs

How can I properly reference information from a draft document?

Be specific. Instead of a generic "according to draft", specify the document's title, version, and date whenever possible. For example, "According to the draft proposal dated July 1, 2025...". You can also use alternatives like "based on draft" for brevity.

What are some alternatives to using "according to draft" in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "in the draft", "the draft indicates", or "as per the draft". Each offers a slightly different nuance while maintaining the core meaning.

Is "according to draft" considered formal or informal language?

While "according to" is generally neutral, using it with "draft" implies the information is preliminary. For formal writing, specify the document details. Using alternatives like "the unconfirmed document says" is not typically advised in academic or professional contexts unless the unconfirmed status is a critical point.

What's the difference between "according to the draft" and "based on the draft"?

"According to the draft" directly attributes the information to the document. "Based on the draft" implies the information or analysis is derived or inferred from the document's contents. Both are similar, but the latter emphasizes interpretation rather than direct quotation.