draft bill

USAGE SUMMARY

"draft bill" is a commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a preliminary version of a proposed law that has not yet been enacted by a legislative body. Example: The committee presented a draft bill for healthcare reform to the legislature for review and feedback.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Our draft Bill - the Leveson Bill - offers a plain and straightforward way of doing that.

BBC

This is a draft bill.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only a draft bill would be prepared.

The Guardian

Clegg says it's a draft bill.

The Guardian

The draft bill does not target the directors.

The New York Times

That's why the Conservatives' draft bill was so keenly awaited.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Can't we draft Bill Gates for duty?

The New York Times

The draft bill regulates CSPs and applies to communications data.

The Guardian

See articleThe British government unveiled a draft bill to transfer more powers to Scotland.

The Economist

Sama prepared a policy brief for parliamentarians in 2009, critiquing problematic provisions of the draft bill.

Globalization and Health

This new draft bill completely rejects the involvement of Ofcom.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a "draft bill", specify its subject matter or purpose for clarity. For instance, "draft bill on environmental regulations" or "draft bill addressing healthcare reforms" provides more context.

Common error

Avoid using "draft bill" interchangeably with "law" or "act". A "draft bill" is a proposal, while a law is the enacted version. Be precise in your language to avoid misrepresenting the bill's status.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draft bill" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific document—a preliminary version of a proposed law. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its use in describing legislative processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "draft bill" is a commonly used term referring to a preliminary version of proposed legislation. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in news and media contexts. The phrase serves an informative purpose, describing the status of potential laws and policies. While generally neutral, the register leans toward professional, reflecting its association with legal and governmental proceedings. When writing about legislation, it's important to distinguish a "draft bill" from an enacted law to maintain clarity. Consider using alternatives like "proposed legislation" or "preliminary bill" for variety. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is frequently used and easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proposed legislation

This alternative emphasizes the legislative aspect, highlighting that the bill is under consideration.

preliminary bill

This highlights the bill's early, not-yet-finalized status.

initial bill

This suggests that the bill is in its beginning stages.

bill under consideration

This alternative focuses on the ongoing review process of the bill.

unfinalized bill

This explicitly states the bill is not yet in its final form.

blueprint for a bill

This conveys the bill is in a conceptual phase.

framework for legislation

This highlights the structural outline of future laws.

embryonic bill

This metaphorically describes the bill's nascent stage.

tentative bill

This portrays the bill as subject to change.

working draft of a bill

This explicitly indicates the document is a work in progress.

FAQs

What is the difference between a "draft bill" and a law?

A "draft bill" is a preliminary version of proposed legislation that is still under consideration. A law is a bill that has been passed by the legislature and signed into effect.

How can I use "draft bill" in a sentence?

You can say, "The committee reviewed the "draft bill" on education reform", or "The government is expected to publish a "draft bill" next week".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "draft bill"?

Alternatives include "proposed legislation", "preliminary bill", or "bill under consideration".

What does it mean when a "draft bill" is published?

When a "draft bill" is published, it means the government or a legislative body is making the proposed legislation available for public review and feedback before it is formally debated and voted upon.