devise to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devise to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely a misuse of "devise" which typically requires a different preposition or structure. Example: "We need to devise a plan to improve our marketing strategy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Any way you can devise to eat it, you're taking advantage of something at its peak.

The New York Times

The paper further describes the strategies that periurban communities devise to circumvent the situation of exclusion.

Geoforum

The pressure will be on Platt, who will monitor the progress of policies she helped devise, to demonstrate her independence.

The Guardian

The resultant minimum RAGE 143 works as a stable recognition devise to detect advanced glycation end products (AGEs).

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

Out to instruct us in the chemistry of painting, it ends up suggesting how elusive art remains despite all the gadgets that we devise to master it.

The New York Times - Arts

That urgency, it seemed to many of us, was scarcely reflected in the tortuous arrangements that the international community sought to devise to end the violence.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Governors were devised to prevent this.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The 1986 law was devised to be revenue-neutral.

The New York Times

Accordingly, plans were devised to extend the city.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This was devised to get rid of Romanian Roma (gypsies).

The Economist

Efficiency-wage theory was devised to explain high unemployment.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express the creation of a strategy or plan, avoid the phrase "devise to". Instead, use "devise a plan to", "create a strategy to", or other similar constructions that adhere to standard English grammar.

Common error

A common mistake is using "devise to" as a direct infinitive construction. "Devise" typically requires a direct object (e.g., a plan, a method) before specifying the intended outcome. For example, use "devise a method to solve the problem" instead of "devise to solve the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devise to" is grammatically incorrect. The verb "devise" needs a direct object (e.g., a plan, a method) to function correctly. As Ludwig AI points out, standard English requires restructuring the sentence to include a noun after "devise".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "devise to" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI highlights, the verb "devise" requires a direct object, such as "a plan", "a strategy", or "a method", to be used correctly. To express the intention of creating something for a specific purpose, it's recommended to use phrases like "devise a plan to", "create a strategy to", or "formulate a method to" instead. Given its grammatical status, "devise to" is inappropriate for any formal or professional communication. It’s important to always include a direct object when using "devise" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devise a plan to

Adds "a plan" to clarify the object being devised.

create a strategy to

Replaces "devise" with "create" and clarifies the intent with "a strategy".

formulate a method to

Uses "formulate" instead of "devise", emphasizing a systematic approach.

develop a system to

Emphasizes the development of an organized system.

design a solution to

Focuses on designing a solution for a specific problem.

establish a procedure to

Highlights the establishment of a formal procedure.

contrive a way to

Emphasizes ingenuity in finding a way to achieve something.

arrange a setup to

Focuses on arranging elements for a specific purpose.

invent a mechanism to

Highlights the invention of a new mechanism.

construct an approach to

Emphasizes a structured construction of an approach.

FAQs

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

Use "devise" with a direct object, like "devise a plan", "devise a strategy", or "devise a method", followed by an infinitive phrase (to + verb) to express the purpose. For example, "devise a plan to improve marketing". Alternatives: "create a plan to", "develop a strategy to", or "formulate a method to".

What are some alternatives to "devise to"?

Since "devise to" is grammatically incorrect, alternatives include using "devise a plan to", "create a method to", or "develop a system to". Each emphasizes a specific type of creation or planning. For instance, you might "design a solution to" a problem, or "establish a procedure to" follow.

Is "devise to" grammatically correct?

No, "devise to" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The verb "devise" typically requires a direct object. Correct usage includes phrases like "devise a strategy to" or "devise a method to". It's essential to include the object of devising.

What's the difference between "devise a plan to" and "plan to"?

"Devise a plan to" implies a more thoughtful, creative, or inventive approach to creating a plan. "Plan to" is a more general term for intending to do something. If you are highlighting the innovative aspect of the planning process, "devise a plan to" is more appropriate. You could also "create a plan to" or "develop a plan to".