drafts of letters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drafts of letters" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the first version of a letter that has not yet been finalized. For example: "I made several drafts of letters before I wrote the final version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

More disturbing, said musicians who knew Cobain, was the publication of unsent letters and drafts of letters.

The New York Times - Books

Emerson's practice of keeping journals combined the early-modern commonplace book with fragments of his own nascent essays, verse and drafts of letters.

The New York Times

Critics believed Beer's anecdotes until 1990, when the scholars Stanley Wertheim and Paul Sorrentino reported that Beer's archive contained rough drafts of letters ostensibly written by Crane that differed sharply from versions he eventually published.

The New Yorker

But his aides revealed with tremulous pride that he actually read and signed off on the drafts of letters to the Chinese written in highly specialized and nuanced diplomatic argot: Sorry?

The New York Times

He uses primary sources, sometimes even rough drafts of letters and documents, and goes well beyond Roosevelt's own writing — which is exhausting even to contemplate, since he once claimed that he wrote between 100,000 and 150,000 letters a year.

The New York Times - Books

The papers, from the library's manuscript division, consist of some 12,000 items captured in about 72,000 digital images, documenting the life of the so-called Father of the Constitution through correspondence, personal notes, drafts of letters and legislation, an autobiography, legal and financial documents and miscellaneous manuscripts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Beginning November 2001 and formally in January 2002, the Department of Health and Human Services directed the FDA to forward all drafts of regulatory letters to the FDA's Office of Chief Counsel OCCC) for review and approval before the letter could be issued [ 5].

BMC Health Services Research

The new policy of reviewing drafts of regulatory letters resulted in a reduction in the number and types (i.e. warning letters and notices of violation) of regulatory letters issued [ 5- 7].

BMC Health Services Research

By the middle of this week, drafts of several letters calling for change were circulating on the Web.

The New York Times - Arts

Drafts of embittered letters betray the disappointment of the aging master, who kept a low profile while he worked in his studio on mathematical studies and technical experiments or surveyed ancient monuments as he strolled through the city.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mrs. Rabbani worked tirelessly as her husband's researcher and secretary, drafting hundreds of letters in response to theological queries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When working on important correspondence, create multiple "drafts of letters" to refine your message and ensure clarity before sending the final version.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "drafts of letters", referring to preliminary versions, with 'draughts', which has unrelated meanings like a current of air or a game. Always double-check your spelling and context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drafts of letters" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition to indicate preliminary versions of correspondence. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drafts of letters" correctly identifies preliminary versions of written communications. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, with secondary usage in scientific and encyclopedic contexts. This suggests a neutral register suitable for objective reporting and academic analysis. When using "drafts of letters", remember that it refers specifically to preliminary versions, so ensure that the context aligns with this meaning. Alternatives like "letter drafts" or "preliminary letters" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

letter drafts

Reorders the words for brevity, omitting the preposition.

letter outlines

Substitutes 'drafts' with 'outlines' to emphasize the structural framework of the letters.

preliminary letters

Uses 'preliminary' to highlight the initial nature of the letters.

initial letter versions

Replaces 'drafts' with 'versions' and uses 'initial' for emphasis.

rough letter copies

Emphasizes the unpolished state of the letters with 'rough copies'.

uncorrected letters

Focuses on the lack of revision in the letters.

first rendition of letters

Substitutes 'drafts' with a more formal 'rendition'.

early forms of letters

Highlights the developmental stage of the letters.

sketches of letters

Uses 'sketches' to imply a preliminary, less detailed version.

prototype letters

Emphasizes the experimental and developmental nature of the letter.

FAQs

How can I use "drafts of letters" in a sentence?

You can use "drafts of letters" to refer to preliminary versions of written correspondence, as in, "The archive contained several "drafts of letters" showing the evolution of his argument."

What's a good alternative to "drafts of letters"?

Depending on the context, alternatives like "letter outlines", "preliminary letters", or "initial letter versions" can be suitable replacements.

Is it better to say "drafts of letters" or "letter drafts"?

Both "drafts of letters" and "letter drafts" are acceptable, though "drafts of letters" may sound slightly more formal. The choice often depends on personal preference and the overall tone of your writing.

What does it mean to keep "drafts of letters"?

Keeping "drafts of letters" implies saving preliminary versions of your correspondence, allowing you to track changes, revert to earlier ideas, or understand the development of your thoughts over time.