drawn on

USAGE SUMMARY

"drawn on" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It generally means to take (or use) something. For example, "I drew on my experiences in the classroom to create an effective lesson plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They can also be painted or drawn on, as wished.

WikiHow

Opposition movements have drawn on history.

The Economist

"I can't be drawn on that, honestly.

Independent

Clegg refuses to be drawn on this.

The Guardian

Mr. Eisenman has drawn on Conceptual Art.

The New York Times - Arts

So I have drawn on that".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The raffle will be drawn on Tuesday.

The Guardian

He has drawn on "Hamlet" three times.

The New York Times - Arts

Which types of expertise and evidence were drawn on?

The New York Times - Sports

Ms Townsend has refused to be drawn on what happened.

Independent

Mr Ping refuses to be drawn on the subject.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "drawn on", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being used as a resource or basis for something else. For example, "The artist drawn on her personal experiences to create the painting."

Common error

Avoid using "drawn on" when active voice is more appropriate and clearer. For instance, instead of "Conclusions were drawn on the data", consider "The researchers drew on the data to reach conclusions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drawn on" functions as a passive verb construction indicating that something is used as a basis or resource. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and commonly used, and provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drawn on" is a versatile phrase primarily employed to signify reliance or utilization, often in academic, scientific, or news-related contexts. As Ludwig AI accurately indicates, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted in various writing styles. To ensure clarity, especially for non-native speakers, it’s essential to contextualize what precisely is being used or referenced. To prevent mistakes with passive vs active voice, always make sure you are using the correct form, depending on who or what is performing the action. Understanding its subtle nuances, such as distinguishing it from "inspired by", can significantly refine your writing and ensure you get your message across.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relied upon

Focuses on the act of depending on something, emphasizing trust and support.

utilized

Highlights the practical application of something for a specific purpose.

capitalized on

Stresses taking advantage of an opportunity or resource.

leveraged

Implies using something to gain an advantage or achieve a goal.

took advantage of

Emphasizes the exploitation of an opportunity or resource, sometimes with a negative connotation.

made use of

A more general term for using something, without specifying the purpose or outcome.

based on

Highlights that something is founded or originates from a particular source or idea.

extracted from

Focuses on taking something out of a source, often implying careful selection.

took inspiration from

Highlights the artistic or creative influence from a particular source.

applied

Highlights the practical application of something.

FAQs

How can I use "drawn on" in a sentence?

Use "drawn on" to indicate reliance or utilization of something as a source or foundation. For example, "The study drawn on data from multiple sources."

What's a good substitute for "drawn on"?

You can use alternatives like "relied upon", "utilized", or "based on" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "drew on" or "drawn on"?

The correct choice depends on the grammatical context. "Drew on" is the past tense (e.g., "He drew on his experience"), while "drawn on" is the past participle, often used in passive constructions (e.g., "He has drawn on his experience") or with auxiliary verbs (e.g. conclusions were drawn on the evidence).

What is the difference between "drawn on" and "inspired by"?

"Drawn on" suggests a more direct and practical use of a source, while "inspired by" indicates a creative or emotional influence.