draw up

USAGE SUMMARY

"draw up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to mean "formulate or draw up a plan, document, or agreement" (Oxford Dictionary). For example, "The company drew up a contract outlining the terms of the deal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And we all draw up in shock.

The Washington Post

It's great to draw up new plans.

The Guardian

He did not draw up the rules.

The Guardian

They visit sites, draw up surveys and then draw up plans and designs.

The Guardian

that I can draw up a few plans.

Princeton University

With that in mind, let's draw up the matrix.

Yale University

The Council will draw up its own rules of procedure.

Yale University

The Tribunal shall draw up rules for its procedure.

Yale University

The P.B.M.s draw up drug formularies — lists of preferred medications.

The New Yorker

The simplest routes are easy to draw up.

The Economist

But the government was slow to draw up new contracts.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "draw up" to mean create a document, ensure the context clearly indicates the type of document being created (e.g., contract, plan, list).

Common error

Avoid using "draw up" when the intended meaning is simply to 'create' something in a general sense. "Draw up" implies a more formal or structured creation, like a plan or legal document.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "draw up" is as a phrasal verb. It typically functions as a transitive verb when used to mean creating a document or plan, as shown in Ludwig examples where someone might "draw up" a contract or plan.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "draw up" is a versatile and commonly used expression that primarily means to create a formal document, plan, or agreement, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, academia, business, and general writing. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's essential to consider the context and intended meaning to avoid misapplication. For example, as suggested by Ludwig, it's crucial to be precise on which type of document is created with "draw up". For alternative expressions, consider words like "formulate", "draft", or "prepare", each with slight differences in nuance. Overall, "draw up" is a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary, enabling clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formulate

Implies a careful and systematic creation of something, often a plan or strategy.

draft

Suggests creating a preliminary version of a document or plan.

prepare

Focuses on making something ready or suitable for a specific purpose.

create

A general term for bringing something into existence.

develop

Indicates a gradual process of growth and improvement.

compose

Often used for creating written works or musical pieces.

arrange

Implies organizing elements in a specific order or structure.

lay out

Suggests presenting something in a clear and organized manner.

construct

Indicates building or assembling something from different parts.

establish

Focuses on setting up or founding something.

FAQs

What does "draw up" mean?

The phrasal verb "draw up" typically means to prepare or create a formal document, such as a contract, plan, or list. It can also mean to bring something to a halt or arrange something in order.

How to use "draw up" in a sentence?

You can use "draw up" in a sentence like this: "The lawyers will "draw up" a contract for the sale of the property."

What can I say instead of "draw up"?

You can use alternatives like "formulate", "draft", or "prepare" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "draw up a conclusion"?

While you can "draw" a conclusion, it's more common to say "reach a conclusion" or "come to a conclusion". "Draw up" is typically used for creating documents or plans, not conclusions.