devise a scheme

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devise a scheme" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of creating a plan or strategy for a specific purpose or goal. Example: "The team was tasked to devise a scheme to improve customer engagement and retention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"If I had millions of dollars, I would devise a scheme.

The New Yorker

Luckily, Edward's friends devise a scheme to scrape together his tuition money.

The New York Times

Academics and officials in Beijing are now trying to devise a scheme to provide old-age security in the countryside.

The Economist

"It would probably be impossible to devise a scheme which is completely free from difficulty," he said.

The Guardian

Branson has hired Kammen and Daniel Prull, one of his graduate students, to devise a scheme to eliminate carbon emissions on Necker.

The New Yorker

The participants were asked to devise a scheme to make the world a better place, prompting Mr Agassi to cook up his electric-car plan.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

It is devising a scheme to make them more transparent.

The Economist

One summer at a Cape Cod town he devised a scheme.

The New Yorker

But Mavis is actually a mess, so she devises a scheme to ensure triumph.

The New Yorker

Mr. Rajaratnam also devised a scheme to hide the arrangement from McKinsey.

The New York Times

KPMG devised a scheme for an amusement arcade company to avoid paying VAT on its operations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "scheme". While it can simply mean 'plan', it sometimes implies a slightly underhanded or clever approach. Choose this phrase when that nuance is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "scheme" in highly formal or professional settings where a more neutral term like "plan" or "strategy" would be more appropriate. "Scheme" can sometimes suggest a lack of transparency or even a slightly unethical approach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devise a scheme" primarily functions as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and refers to the act of creating a plan or strategy, as illustrated in numerous examples where individuals or groups "devise a scheme" for various purposes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devise a scheme" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that signifies the creation of a plan or strategy. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase is most commonly found in news and media, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, with a neutral formality level. While "scheme" can sometimes carry slightly negative connotations, the phrase itself is generally acceptable. As Ludwig AI confirms, "devise a scheme" is correct and useful in written English. Alternatives such as "formulate a plan" or "create a strategy" can be used depending on the desired tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formulate a strategy

Combines 'formulate' and 'strategy' to emphasize a thoughtful and structured approach to planning.

formulate a plan

Replaces 'devise' with 'formulate', emphasizing a more structured and detailed approach to planning.

create a strategy

Uses 'create' and 'strategy' to highlight the inventive aspect of the plan.

develop a strategy

Replaces 'devise' with 'develop', suggesting a gradual and progressive formation of the plan.

craft a plan

Employs 'craft' to convey a sense of careful and skillful creation.

design a method

Focuses on the intentional design of a structured process.

concoct a plan

Replaces 'devise' with 'concoct', suggesting a clever or inventive plan, sometimes with a hint of deviousness.

invent a method

Focuses on the creation of a specific method or procedure.

contrive a plan

Uses 'contrive' to suggest a plan that is cleverly or artfully arranged, potentially implying some difficulty.

engineer a solution

Highlights a more technical and problem-solving approach to planning.

FAQs

What does "devise a scheme" mean?

The phrase "devise a scheme" means to create or invent a plan, often one that is somewhat intricate or clever, to achieve a specific goal. The term "scheme" can sometimes imply a slightly devious or underhanded plan.

What can I say instead of "devise a scheme"?

You can use alternatives like "formulate a plan", "create a strategy", or "develop a strategy" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "devise a scheme" or "develop a plan"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "develop a plan" is generally more neutral and suitable for formal contexts. "Devise a scheme" might imply a more complex or even slightly cunning approach. Choose based on the intended tone and audience.

How can the word 'scheme' affect the interpretation of "devise a scheme"?

The word "scheme" can sometimes carry negative connotations, suggesting a plan that is not entirely ethical or transparent. Be mindful of this when using "devise a scheme", and consider whether a more neutral term like "plan" or "strategy" would be more appropriate.