draft copy

USAGE SUMMARY

'draft copy' is correct and usable in written English.
It usually means an unfinished version of a document or piece of writing that can be improved upon. Example Sentence: We sent out the draft copy of the report to our team to review before sending it to the stakeholders.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He attached a draft copy.

The New York Times

A draft copy dated Aug. 13, obtained from the Union of Concerned Scientists, was clearly unfinished.

The New York Times

But that was a curated event, and Nabokov had already revised much of the draft copy.

The New Yorker

A draft copy of the report was obtained by The New York Times.

The New York Times

Last year, after he sent a draft copy of his report to Vertos, the fireworks started.

The New York Times - Health

A draft copy of the Executive Business Meeting for that day with reference to Rumney Rec is revealed below.

The Guardian

A draft copy of the first part was released on Saturday and part two is expected in November.

The Guardian - Opinion

It had three basic components: seek legal advice; work out a strategy for approaching the White House; get draft copy from the reporters in Hong Kong.

The Guardian

Ms. Wright, who reviewed a draft copy of the transfer plan at the request of The Times, said it was a significant first step that must go further.

The New York Times

A final draft copy of the report calls on rich nations to "remove incentives and other supports for environmentally harmful energy technologies".

The New York Times

A draft copy of the form lists the four defendants and in some cases more than 300 counts, with boxes to be checked under "guilty" or "not guilty".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When sharing a "draft copy", clearly label it as such to avoid confusion with the final version. This is especially important in professional settings.

Common error

Always explicitly state that a document is a "draft copy". Failing to do so can lead to misinterpretations and premature feedback based on unfinished work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draft copy" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a direct object or subject complement. It identifies a specific type of document: a preliminary version that is not yet final. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "draft copy" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to indicate a preliminary version of a document. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for written English. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, followed by science, and serves the purpose of informing readers about the status of the document. To ensure clarity, it's always best practice to explicitly label documents as "draft copy" and clearly state that a document is a "draft copy" to prevent misinterpretations. Alternatives include "preliminary version" and "initial draft".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary version

Focuses on the stage of development, indicating it's not the final version.

initial draft

Emphasizes that it's the very first attempt.

working draft

Highlights the ongoing development and that it's still being worked on.

trial version

Suggests it's for testing or review purposes.

unedited version

Stresses the lack of editing or revisions.

advance copy

Implies it's being shared before the official release.

rough draft

Indicates a basic, unpolished version.

early version

Simply indicates it is one of the first versions.

mock-up

This is more visual and for design.

blueprint

Implies a detailed plan but not necessarily the final product.

FAQs

How do you use "draft copy" in a sentence?

You can use "draft copy" in sentences like: "Please review the "draft copy" of the report before our meeting", or "The editor requested a "draft copy" of the manuscript for initial feedback".

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

Some alternatives include "preliminary version", "initial draft", or "working draft", depending on the context and the stage of completion.

Is it redundant to say "draft copy"?

While "draft" alone can imply it's a copy, using "draft copy" emphasizes that it's not the original and is subject to change. It's often used for clarity, especially when multiple versions exist.

What's the difference between a "draft copy" and a final version?

A "draft copy" is an incomplete or unpolished version of a document intended for review, editing, or revision. The final version is the completed and approved document, ready for distribution or publication.