draw up a paper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "draw up a paper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of preparing or drafting a document, report, or formal paper. Example: "Before the meeting, I need to draw up a paper outlining our project proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Before Jasmine left, though, she wanted to draw up a paper of her own.

The New Yorker

Draw up a paper divided into columns for each of these tags: Food: in this column write all the food intake you consume normally.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In June EU foreign ministers drew up a paper calling for a federal structure for the EU, with a directly elected president of the Commission (the president currently was appointed by heads of governments), a pan-European finance minister, and a two-tiered European parliament.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Warnock report was delivered in 1984, but still the government prevaricated, taking another three years to draw up a white paper.

The Guardian

The Commission should draw up a green paper on the sports sector and set up a special group to define the outlines of comprehensive development in this area.

EU Parlament

One could draw up a truce on paper, in other words, but only the losing side would be inclined to sign it.

The New York Times

In a move which will lead to accusations of abandoning political neutrality, officials in the Treasury are planning to draw up a series of papers assessing the "economic implications" of a No vote if a referendum is called.

Independent

Three Circuit judges Paul R. Hays, William H. Timbers, and Murray I. Gurfein would rule on the motion the next day, and Fried and his associates used the time to draw up a number of papers in support of their position.

The New Yorker

Use the pencils or markers to draw up a design on the graph paper by colouring in the squares.

WikiHow

"Being given a clean piece of paper to draw up a commission, the challenge is staggering".

The Guardian

He recommends sitting down for a few minutes at your computer or with pen and paper to draw up a quick plan that shows your income and expenses.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "draw up a paper", consider the audience and purpose of the paper to ensure the tone and content are appropriate. For formal contexts, focus on clarity and accuracy; for informal settings, prioritize accessibility.

Common error

Avoid using "draw up a paper" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "write" or "prepare" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draw up a paper" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of creating or drafting a document. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "draw up a paper" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the process of creating or drafting a formal document, as verified by Ludwig. It's commonly used in contexts like news, business, and academia. While versatile, it's best to reserve it for neutral to formal situations. Consider alternatives like "prepare a document" or "draft a document" for similar meanings. When writing, ensure the tone and content align with the intended audience and purpose of the paper. Ludwig provides numerous examples to illustrate its appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prepare a document

Focuses on the action of making something ready, which is a general action and has a similarity score a bit less than other more related alternatives.

draft a document

Implies creating a preliminary version, suggesting the paper might be subject to revisions.

write up a report

Emphasizes the act of writing and compiling information into a structured format.

formulate a plan

Suggests developing a strategy or detailed proposal, shifting the context slightly towards planning.

develop a proposal

Highlights the process of creating a detailed suggestion or plan for consideration.

compose an essay

Specifically refers to writing an academic or formal piece of writing.

construct a report

Emphasizes the careful building and structuring of information into a coherent report.

assemble a document

Focuses on gathering and organizing different elements to create a complete document.

put together a summary

Highlights the action of compiling key points into a concise overview, reducing the scope to summarization.

outline a presentation

Focuses on creating a framework for a presentation, rather than a detailed paper, indicating a different medium.

FAQs

What does "draw up a paper" mean?

The phrase "draw up a paper" means to create, draft, or prepare a formal document, report, or plan. It implies a structured and deliberate process of outlining and detailing the content.

How can I use "draw up a paper" in a sentence?

You might say, "The committee will "draw up a paper" outlining the proposed budget cuts" or "Before the meeting, I need to "draw up a paper" summarizing our findings".

What are some alternatives to "draw up a paper"?

You can use alternatives like "prepare a document", "draft a document", or "write up a report" depending on the context.

Is "draw up a paper" formal or informal?

The phrase "draw up a paper" is generally considered neutral to formal. While usable in many contexts, it may sound slightly formal in very casual settings, where simpler terms like "write" or "prepare" might be more appropriate.