drafted from scratch

USAGE SUMMARY

"drafted from scratch" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe creating something anew, with no prior foundation or reference. For example, "We drafted the contract from scratch and got it signed within a week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Most Africans have no identity documents, so electoral rolls often need to be drafted from scratch for every poll.

The Economist

However the recent independent review of U.K. surveillance legislation, conducted by David Anderson, condemned the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act as an incomprehensible patchwork — calling for new oversight legislation to be drafted "from scratch".

TechCrunch

"A comprehensive and comprehensible new law should be drafted from scratch, replacing the multitude of current powers and providing for clear limits and safeguards on any intrusive power that it may be necessary for public authorities to use," wrote Anderson in his review.

TechCrunch

"A comprehensive and comprehensible new law should be drafted from scratch, replacing the multitude of current powers and providing for clear limits and safeguards on any intrusive power that it may be necessary for public authorities to use," says Anderson's report.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I also find that by artificially creating more "process" (retyping the whole draft from scratch, rather than simply dipping in and making selected corrections), I can force myself to consider the text more deeply.

The Guardian - Books

He drafted the framework from scratch, throwing out the work begun by Mr. Kouchner.

The New York Times

Some opponents of the Volcker Rule urged regulators to tear up the draft and start from scratch.

The New York Times

But starting afresh – drafting a new bill from scratch in user-friendly, security-cleared language and to a strict parliamentary timetable, would be a huge undertaking.

The Guardian - Opinion

To debate: As an alternative to Congress's controversial Stop Online Piracy Act, which opponents say could "break the Internet," Senate Democrat Ron Wyden wants to draft a new piece of legislation from scratch using input from the online community.

The New Yorker

Libya's 200-seat Congress, which assumed power in August, is starting from scratch as it drafts the guidelines that will define the new constitution and the future state.

The New York Times

Few traditional mechanisms, however, capture the public's active interests--empowering people to draft their own ideas, concerns and questions from scratch.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drafted from scratch" when discussing policies or regulations to underline the effort involved in creating new frameworks rather than modifying existing ones.

Common error

Avoid using "drafted from scratch" if the creation process involved significant borrowing or adaptation of existing ideas, even if the final result is substantially different.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drafted from scratch" functions as a verb phrase, specifying that a written document, plan, or law was created entirely anew, without any reliance on prior work or templates. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "drafted from scratch" is used to emphasize the originality and independent creation of a written document or plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound. While relatively rare, it frequently appears in news and media sources, where it conveys that a given document was created completely anew. Alternative phrases, such as "created from zero" or "built from the ground up", offer similar meanings but with subtle differences in emphasis. When using the phrase, be sure to apply it only when the creation truly started without any pre-existing materials.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

created from zero

Focuses on starting the creation process without any initial resources or building blocks.

built from the ground up

Implies a gradual and solid construction process, often used for projects or organizations.

developed from nothing

Highlights the absence of existing material in the development process.

formulated from the beginning

Emphasizes the initial stages of planning and idea generation.

originated from square one

Uses a visual metaphor to represent a complete restart or new beginning.

fashioned anew

Suggests that creation process is a crafting or shaping with a high level of skill or artistry.

conceived without precedent

It emphasizes that idea behind of this new creation has not been seen before.

constructed de novo

Uses a Latin term to indicate starting completely afresh, often used in technical contexts.

instituted ab initio

It stresses the fact that instituting is happening from a new state of affairs.

composed without a template

The absence of a template or existing framework.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "drafted from scratch"?

You can use phrases like "created from zero", "built from the ground up", or "developed from nothing" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context.

Is it more correct to say "drafted from scratch" or "written from scratch"?

Both "drafted from scratch" and "written from scratch" are acceptable. "Drafted from scratch" is often used in the context of formal documents or plans, while "written from scratch" can be used more generally for any type of written content.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "drafted from scratch"?

It's appropriate when emphasizing that something was created entirely new, without relying on or modifying any pre-existing materials. It suggests a fresh start and considerable effort in creating something original.

What does "from scratch" mean?

"From scratch" means from the very beginning, without using anything that existed before. In the context of "drafted from scratch", it means a document or plan was created entirely new, without adapting from a previous version.