drawing down

USAGE SUMMARY

"drawing down" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It typically means to reduce or deplete something, often in a gradual or controlled manner. Example: The company announced plans to draw down their inventory levels in order to cut costs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MS. RADDATZ: Drawing down in one war -- REP.

The New York Times

But the Army was drawing down and kept him stateside.

The New York Times

Drawing down like something trying to preserve heat.

The New Yorker

"The foreigners are leaving, and the money is drawing down".

The New York Times

Will you ever take Illtyd's drawing down, we asked him?

The Guardian

And we have been drawing down on centuries of accumulation.

The Guardian

He is pulling out of Syria and drawing down in Afghanistan.

The Washington Post

In addition, companies are restocking their warehouses after several years of drawing down inventories.

The New York Times

He claims to save hundreds of billions by drawing down forces in Iraq.

The New York Times

So what happened to drawing down by July 2011?

Huffington Post

"The real question becomes, 'How much are we comfortable drawing down on our savings?'" Walker said.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drawing down" when you want to emphasize a gradual reduction or depletion of something, whether it's resources, troops, or funds. Be mindful of the context to ensure it conveys the intended meaning of a controlled decrease.

Common error

Avoid using "drawing down" when referring to an immediate or abrupt reduction. The phrase implies a process over time, not a sudden change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drawing down" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a verb complement or part of a continuous verb tense. It describes the action of reducing or depleting something over time, as evidenced in Ludwig's examples about troop reductions and resource depletion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "drawing down" is a commonly used gerund phrase that describes a gradual reduction or depletion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in contexts such as news reporting and scientific discussion. It's important to use it when referring to a controlled and systematic decrease, avoiding its application to sudden or abrupt changes. Be mindful of the subtle difference between "drawing down" and similar phrases like "withdrawing", which implies a complete removal. The most authoritative sources using this phrase include The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reducing gradually

Focuses on the gradual aspect of the reduction.

depleting resources

Highlights the depletion aspect, specifically concerning resources.

scaling back

Emphasizes the act of reducing the scale or scope.

phasing out

Suggests a planned and systematic removal.

winding down

Implies a gradual and controlled conclusion.

lessening gradually

Highlights the gradual nature of the decrease.

decreasing steadily

Focuses on a consistent and continuous reduction.

tapering off

Suggests a gradual decrease to a minimal level.

shrinking gradually

Focuses on the progressive decrease in size or amount.

cutting back

Emphasizes the act of making reductions or economies.

FAQs

How can I use "drawing down" in a sentence?

You can use "drawing down" to describe a gradual reduction, such as "The company is "drawing down" its operations in the region" or "The military is "drawing down" troops from the area".

What are some alternatives to "drawing down"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "reducing gradually", "scaling back", or "phasing out".

Is it correct to use "drawing down on"?

Yes, "drawing down on" is correct when referring to using a resource or fund, such as "drawing down on savings" or "drawing down on reserves".

What's the difference between "drawing down" and "withdrawing"?

"Drawing down" implies a gradual or partial reduction, whereas "withdrawing" suggests a complete removal or taking out, as in "withdrawing funds from an account".