by drawing on

USAGE SUMMARY

"by drawing on" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of utilizing a previous experience, resource, or aid to do something. For example: "She solved the problem by drawing on her prior experience in coding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Miss Gould occupied various offices over the years, including one that Thurber had decorated by drawing on the walls.

The New Yorker

He did this by drawing on innovative financial instruments, a policy that eventually backfired.

The New Yorker

Justices created a common law by drawing on customs across the country and rulings by monarchs.

The Economist

Mr. Thomas supports this claim by drawing on sources recently declassified or largely overlooked.

The New York Times - Books

That tool was developed by drawing on existing claims data from actual floods, Mr. Brown said.

The New York Times

The commission will have informed their recommendations in part by drawing on existing high quality evidence.

The Guardian - Opinion

As famously said by Geoffrey Howe, by drawing on the ability to separate words from meaning.

The Guardian

"But we have to concentrate on growth by drawing on our own strength".

The New York Times

Frankel dreams up products by drawing on her own instincts and also thinking about the needs of "Costco moms".

The New Yorker

But by drawing on works composed from the 14th to 16th centuries, New York Polyphony could ignore that inconvenient reconsideration.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not sentimentality to declare that clubs can sometimes gain strength by drawing on the store of folk memories.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by drawing on", clearly state what resource, experience, or information is being utilized to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "by drawing on" as a filler phrase. Ensure it adds specific meaning by explicitly mentioning what is being drawn upon; otherwise, consider simpler alternatives like "using" or "utilizing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by drawing on" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used adverbially to modify a verb, indicating the means or method by which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and useful for specifying the basis of an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by drawing on" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the utilization of resources, experiences, or information. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for formal and neutral contexts. It is frequently found in news, media, and scientific publications and specifies the basis for an action or idea. While alternatives exist, "by drawing on" provides a clear and effective way to highlight the foundation or source of an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making use of

A general term for utilizing something available.

utilizing

A more formal term for using something effectively.

leveraging

Emphasizes maximizing the advantage or effectiveness of something.

employing

Similar to utilizing, but can also refer to putting something into service.

capitalizing on

Highlights taking full advantage of an opportunity or resource.

building upon

Suggests adding to or developing something further.

taking advantage of

Implies benefiting from something, sometimes with a connotation of opportunism.

using as a basis

Focuses on the foundation or starting point for something.

depending on

Indicates reliance on something for support or assistance.

extracting from

Focuses on obtaining specific information or elements from a source.

FAQs

How can I use "by drawing on" in a sentence?

Use "by drawing on" to indicate that you are utilizing a specific resource, skill, or experience to achieve a particular outcome. For example, "The researcher developed the hypothesis by drawing on existing literature and experimental data."

What are some alternatives to "by drawing on"?

You can use alternatives like "using as a basis", "leveraging", or "making use of" depending on the specific context.

Is "by drawing on" formal or informal?

"By drawing on" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. Simpler alternatives like "using" might be preferred in very informal settings.

What's the difference between "by drawing on" and "depending on"?

"By drawing on" implies active utilization of a resource, while "depending on" suggests reliance or contingency. You draw on a skill to solve a problem, but you depend on the weather for a successful picnic.