devising schemes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devising schemes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of creating plans or strategies, often with a connotation of cleverness or cunning. Example: "The team spent weeks devising schemes to improve their marketing strategy and increase sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Tax lawyers are already devising schemes to exploit the many new loopholes the plan would create.

The New York Times

Governments everywhere have compounded the problem by devising schemes to underwrite deposits to protect depositors (who have presented banks with all those highly liquid liabilities) from such disasters.

The Economist

By P. S. Le Poer Trench The New Yorker, October 5 , 1935P. 81 Even at college Parsons was always anticipating some kind of major or minor crisis and devising schemes that would succeed in averting calamity.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, October 5 , 1935P. 81 Even at college Parsons was always anticipating some kind of major or minor crisis and devising schemes that would succeed in averting calamity.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Campaign finance system is a mess.Limits have just created a cottage industry for lawyers who devise schemes to circumvent them.

The Guardian

While Barclays will continue to offer straightforward tax planning to customers, it will pledge to no longer devise schemes purely intended for this purpose.

The Guardian - Business

They will, of course, review videotape of New England's last two games looking for trends, they will devise schemes and strategies that suit their personnel.

The New York Times - Sports

As the season progresses, a quarterback's nuances are revealed, his weaknesses as much as his strengths, and defenses devise schemes to counter and negate.

The New York Times - Sports

He has practiced half a dozen trick plays on punts and field-goal attempts and even let some players devise schemes.

The New York Times - Sports

The dispute is now in the arbitration courts.In Bolivia, three big cities, La Paz, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba, all devised schemes to improve chronically deficient water supplies (in a country with above-average rainfall).

The Economist

But in a political setting, we devised schemes then to assure living wages to autoworkers, only to see Roosevelt's rickety structure comes crashing down on our heads.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devising schemes", be mindful of the potentially negative connotation. It can imply trickery or manipulation, so choose it deliberately when that nuance is intended.

Common error

In formal or professional settings, avoid using "devising schemes" too liberally. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "developing plans" or "formulating strategies" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "devising schemes" is that of a verb phrase acting as the predicate in a clause, where "devising" is the gerund or present participle acting as a verb and "schemes" functions as its direct object. As shown in the examples, "devising" can be replaced by a more neutral or formal verb.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devising schemes" refers to the creation of plans or strategies, often carrying a connotation of cleverness or potential trickery. Ludwig's analysis reveals that this phrase, while grammatically correct, appears relatively infrequently and is primarily found in News & Media contexts. The term "schemes" can imply a degree of cunning or manipulation, making it crucial to consider the context and intended nuance when using this phrase. In formal settings, more neutral alternatives like "formulating strategies" or "developing plans" might be more appropriate. Keep in mind that despite its correctness, the connotations of "devising schemes" must be carefully considered for impactful and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formulating strategies

Focuses more on the strategic aspect and less on the potential negative connotation of "schemes".

developing plans

A more neutral alternative, lacking the implication of cunning or complexity.

crafting strategies

Implies a careful and skillful creation of strategies.

creating projects

Emphasizes the tangible outcome of the planning process.

planning intrigues

Highlights the manipulative and secretive nature of the planning.

inventing stratagems

Focuses on devising clever tricks or tactics.

conceiving initiatives

Emphasizes the initiation of new plans or projects.

organizing plots

Implies secret and often malevolent planning.

establishing tactics

Focuses on the establishment of a set of tactics for a specific goal.

preparing agendas

Highlights the creation of a list of items to be discussed or acted upon.

FAQs

What does "devising schemes" mean?

The phrase "devising schemes" refers to the act of creating plans or strategies, often implying a degree of cleverness or cunning. The term "schemes" can sometimes carry a negative connotation, suggesting that the plans are somewhat devious or underhanded.

What can I say instead of "devising schemes"?

You can use alternatives like "formulating strategies", "developing plans", or "crafting strategies" depending on the context.

Is "devising schemes" formal or informal?

The phrase leans toward being neutral but can border on informal depending on the context. In formal settings, using alternatives like "formulating strategies" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "devising schemes" and "devising plans"?

While both phrases involve creating a course of action, "devising schemes" often suggests a level of complexity or secretiveness not necessarily present in "devising plans". Plans are generally more straightforward, whereas schemes can imply cunning.