devise plans

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devise plans" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of creating or formulating strategies or approaches to achieve specific goals. Example: "In order to improve our marketing strategy, we need to devise plans that target our audience more effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The officers of Harbor devise plans to deal with the myriad threats.

The New York Times

To help states devise plans, the federal health agency intends to release $200 million now.

The New York Times

Places where she could loiter in the streets, devise plans for catching glimpses.

The New Yorker

Agencies releasing toxic substances would have to devise plans to halve emissions by 1999 and to report emissions publicly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The campaigners also called for laws requiring departments to devise plans for "recruitment and retention of minority police officers".

The Guardian

The preliminary injunction will spell out the extent to which they may meet and devise plans to lay before Congress.

The New York Times

Still, it is in Doha that the slow-turning wheels of global politics will try to devise plans to both mitigate climate change and adapt to it.

The New York Times

"I'm going to be working with our sports psychologists and (coach) Andy Banks to devise plans to get me back on track with that dive".

Independent

Now, opponents must devise plans to stop Greene and his fellow back Thomas Jones, who continued another career season with a touchdown Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

The laws do not apply to catching people at home with their ballots, and that has freed party tacticians to devise plans to court the early vote.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They would determine specific goals, devise plan, make lists, and decide what steps should be taken to attain said goals.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devise plans", ensure the context clearly indicates who is creating the plans and what the purpose of those plans is. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice with "devise plans". Instead of saying "Plans were devised", specify who is devising the plans to make your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devise plans" functions as a verb phrase where "devise" acts as a transitive verb taking "plans" as its direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "devise plans" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that means to create or formulate strategies. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It's commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and business documents, making it suitable for professional and formal communication. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who is creating the plans and their purpose. Alternatives such as "formulate strategies" or "develop strategies" can be used to add nuance. Avoid overuse of passive voice to maintain a direct and engaging writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formulate strategies

Emphasizes a systematic and methodological approach to creating plans.

develop strategies

Focuses on the gradual evolution and refinement of plans.

create strategies

Highlights the act of bringing new plans into existence.

formulate schemes

Suggests a more detailed and often secretive approach to planning.

develop a blueprint

Implies creating a detailed outline or guide for action.

craft approaches

Highlights a careful and skillful creation of plans.

design methodologies

Focuses on the systematic and structured creation of plans.

establish roadmaps

Implies creating a clear path or plan for achieving specific goals.

lay out tactics

Concentrates on the practical steps and actions within a plan.

forge initiatives

Emphasizes the proactive and inventive nature of creating plans.

FAQs

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

You can use "devise plans" to describe the process of creating strategies or approaches to achieve a specific goal. For example: "The team needed to "devise plans" to improve sales figures."

What are some alternatives to "devise plans"?

Alternatives include "formulate strategies", "develop strategies", or "create strategies", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "devise plans" formal or informal?

"Devise plans" is generally considered suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more common in professional and academic writing.

What does "devise plans" mean?

"Devise plans" means to create or invent a method or course of action for achieving a particular objective. It implies a deliberate and thoughtful planning process.