devise how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devise how" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of creating a plan or method for achieving something. Example: "We need to devise how we will approach the project to ensure its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

And because the concept of money was foreign, the weavers' society had to devise how to compensate members with alternatives.

The New York Times

The original idea was to devise how the Economist would look like if it had been born in 2012 rather than in 1843, explains Delaney.

The Guardian - Tech

So rather than dictate how every business unit meets the five new sustainability priorities, he'd rather they devise how to do so themselves.

The Guardian

We have also started the debate about English devolution and reform of the outdated Barnett formula, which is used to devise how much local government funding areas in the UK receive.

The Guardian

Less than a week after Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld tried to ease allies' concerns about such a missile system at a conference in Munich, Mr. Bush will order the Pentagon to devise how best to proceed with a shield, given diplomatic, technological and financial difficulties, they said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Alperovitz's primary task was devising how to distribute the papers to as many news organizations as possible.

The New Yorker

This, in turn, raises the questions that have derailed every school reform plan yet devised: How, exactly, does "school choice" help the girl whose single mother is too caught up in alcohol and drugs to sign up for a lottery?

The New York Times

Even accepting the structure that the framers devised, how can the Senate simply refuse to act on a President's appointments, as the current Republican minority has done so often?

The New Yorker

We might, for example, wish that the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers had thought of crossword solvers and used the same system as the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic when devising how web addresses work, but apparently they had other concerns.

The Guardian

Surrounded by young professionals from the likes of nearby Ticketmaster and the Craft Council, Reader, Perkins and Collins, as well as co-conspirator Daniel Jones, 60, met at the drinking hole on Fridays, devising how they would break into the Hatton Garden Deposit Company over the Easter weekend, drill a hole in its concrete vault and make off with diamonds, gold and cash.

The Guardian

However, it was not until the 1980s and 1990s that these agencies became so important in devising how our firms would pursue foreign policy goals.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devise how" when you want to emphasize the creative and strategic process of finding a solution or method, particularly when dealing with complex or novel challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "devise how" in situations where simpler alternatives like "determine how" or "find out how" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devise how" functions as an infinitive phrase acting as an adverbial modifier, indicating the method or strategy by which something is achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devise how" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the process of creating a plan or strategy. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's considered a less frequent expression. It appears most commonly in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone. For simpler situations, consider alternatives like "determine how" or "figure out how". Remember to use "devise how" when emphasizing the creative and strategic nature of finding a solution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine how to

Focuses on the process of finding out or establishing a method, slightly more investigatory than creating.

figure out how to

Emphasizes problem-solving and discovery in finding a solution or method.

create a plan for

Highlights the planning aspect, suggesting a more structured approach.

formulate a strategy for

Similar to creating a plan, but implies a more strategic and goal-oriented approach.

establish a method for

Focuses on setting up a procedure or system for a specific purpose.

work out how to

Implies a process of gradual discovery and refinement of a method.

conceive a way to

Emphasizes the initial act of imagining or inventing a method.

design a system for

Highlights the systematic creation of a structured approach.

invent a solution for

Stresses the novelty and ingenuity in finding a method.

develop a process for

Implies a gradual and iterative creation of a method.

FAQs

How can I use "devise how" in a sentence?

You can use "devise how" when you're talking about creating a plan or method. For example, "The team needs to devise how to reduce costs".

What's a good alternative to "devise how"?

Alternatives include "determine how to", "figure out how to", or "create a plan for" depending on the specific context.

Is "devise how" formal or informal?

"Devise how" leans towards a more formal tone, suitable for professional or academic writing. Simpler phrases might be better for informal contexts.

What is the difference between "devise how" and "determine how"?

"Devise how" implies creating a new method or approach, while "determine how to" suggests discovering or establishing an existing method. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.