devising ways

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devising ways" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of creating or planning methods to achieve a goal or solve a problem. Example: "The team is focused on devising ways to improve our customer service experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ms. Lucas and her staff began devising ways to compete.

The New York Times - Books

That raises problems for biologists devising ways to detect them.

The New York Times - Science

Genetic engineers are devising ways to render carp infertile.

Columbia University

Now it is devising ways to squeeze the banks in order to defend society.

The Economist

Not to be flippant, but radicals' devising ways to equip suicide bombers doesn't cut it.

The New York Times

There he became involved in devising ways to relieve the congestion in the New Jersey courts.

The New Yorker

Devising ways to deal with social and psychologic isolation would also enhance coping with COPD.

Heart & Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care

After this, doctors began devising ways to fix what was found going wrong inside the heart.

The Guardian

The research may eventually help in devising ways to prevent or control Lyme disease.

The New York Times - Science

Aviator Charles Lindbergh tried to cheat death by devising ways to replace human organs with machines.

The Guardian

The work may help in devising ways to control or eliminate the behavior.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process that requires careful planning and execution, the phrase "devising ways" can add precision and clarity to your writing. It highlights the deliberate and thoughtful nature of the process.

Common error

Avoid using "devising ways" when a more specific verb would be more informative. Instead of saying "devising ways to improve efficiency", try "streamlining processes" or "optimizing workflows".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devising ways" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a noun in a sentence. It typically describes an ongoing process of planning or creating methods to achieve a specific goal, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devising ways" is a versatile gerund phrase used to describe the process of creating or planning methods to achieve a goal. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While generally neutral, its formality level leans towards professional settings. To enhance clarity in writing, consider using more specific verbs or synonyms like "formulating plans" or "developing strategies" when appropriate. This ensures effective communication by avoiding vagueness and tailoring your language to your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conceiving methods

Replaces "ways" with "methods" and "devising" with "conceiving", suggesting a more abstract or intellectual approach.

formulating plans

"Formulating" implies a more structured and detailed approach to creating plans, while "ways" is replaced with "plans".

developing strategies

Emphasizes the strategic aspect of planning, suitable for formal contexts, replacing "ways" with "strategies".

creating solutions

Focuses on the outcome of the devising process, highlighting the problem-solving aspect, replacing "ways" with "solutions".

establishing procedures

Implies setting up formal guidelines or protocols, suitable when creating structured processes, replacing "ways" with "procedures".

crafting approaches

Highlights the skill and artistry involved in creating methods, replacing "ways" with "approaches".

inventing techniques

Emphasizes the innovative and original aspect of creating new methods, replacing "ways" with "techniques".

contriving means

"Contriving" suggests ingenuity and resourcefulness in finding methods, but may sometimes imply a slight negative connotation of manipulation, replacing "ways" with "means".

designing systems

Focuses on creating organized structures or frameworks, suitable for technical or organizational contexts, replacing "ways" with "systems".

exploring avenues

Suggests investigating different possibilities or paths to achieve a goal, replacing "ways" with "avenues".

FAQs

How can I use "devising ways" in a sentence?

You can use "devising ways" to describe the act of creating or planning methods to achieve a specific goal. For example: "The team is currently "devising ways" to reduce carbon emissions."

What are some alternatives to "devising ways"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "formulating plans", "developing strategies", or "creating solutions".

Is "devising ways" formal or informal?

"Devising ways" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it's always best to consider your audience and the specific context when choosing your wording.

What is the difference between "devising ways" and "finding ways"?

"Devising ways" implies a more active and creative process of inventing methods, while "finding ways" suggests discovering or identifying existing solutions.