draw lots

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "draw lots" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to choose something randomly by choosing out of a group or by using a random method like drawing pieces of paper out of a hat. Example sentence: We didn't know who to choose, so we decided to draw lots and the lucky winner was John.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Should they draw lots?

The New York Times

"I think we should draw lots," Steve said.

The New Yorker

Amelia returns just as the men prepare to draw lots.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They draw lots, and the one chosen is you.

The Guardian - Film

Under tournament regulations, officials had to draw lots to decide who went through.

The Guardian - Sport

The praetors and consuls would then draw lots to determine their particular provinces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

They drew lots to decide the seat.

The Guardian

(They drew lots do decide the order).

The Guardian

They drew lots and shot the local innkeeper.

The New Yorker

He& his co-worker Jonquil McMahon, drew lots&she won.

The New Yorker

After drawing lots, Bennett will be the first to speak.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "draw lots", ensure the context clearly indicates that the selection is random and impartial. This helps avoid ambiguity about the fairness of the process.

Common error

Avoid using "draw lots" if the process isn't genuinely random or fair. If the selection is rigged or influenced in any way, using this phrase can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draw lots" functions as a verb phrase describing a method of random selection. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a grammatically correct way to denote choosing something randomly. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, from deciding political representation to allocating tasks.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "draw lots" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a method of random selection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, to denote a fair and impartial decision-making process. While alternatives like "cast lots" or "pick at random" exist, "draw lots" maintains a clear and direct meaning, effectively conveying the concept of chance and impartiality. The key is to ensure the context accurately reflects a truly random process to avoid any misunderstanding of fairness. Therefore, when you need to describe a decision made by chance, "draw lots" is a reliable and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cast lots

Replaces "draw" with "cast", emphasizing the act of throwing or casting something to make a random selection.

pick at random

Uses "pick" to convey selection and "at random" to highlight the lack of a predetermined method.

choose by chance

Emphasizes the element of chance in the selection process, replacing "draw lots" with a more descriptive phrase.

decide by random draw

Highlights the decision-making aspect and specifies that the draw is random, making it a clear and direct alternative.

select arbitrarily

Replaces the concrete imagery of "drawing lots" with the more abstract term "arbitrarily", indicating a selection based on whim.

determine by lottery

Specifies a lottery as the method of random selection, offering a more explicit alternative.

make a random selection

Focuses on the outcome of the process—a random selection—rather than the method of achieving it.

leave it to chance

Simplifies the concept to leaving the decision to chance, conveying the same meaning in a more concise way.

resort to a lottery

Suggests using a lottery as a last resort, emphasizing the lack of a better alternative.

go by the toss of a coin

Specifies a particular method of random selection (coin toss), providing a more concrete alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "draw lots" in a sentence?

You can use "draw lots" to describe a process of random selection, for example: "To decide who would go first, they decided to "draw lots"."

What does "draw lots" mean?

The phrase "draw lots" means to make a selection randomly, typically by picking slips of paper or other objects from a container.

Which is correct: "draw lots" or "drawing lots"?

"Draw lots" is the base form, often used as an infinitive or in commands. "Drawing lots" is the gerund form, used as a noun or part of a continuous verb tense. The choice depends on the grammatical structure of the sentence.

What can I say instead of "draw lots"?

Alternatives include "cast lots", "pick at random", or "choose by chance", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of random selection.