drew up a list

USAGE SUMMARY

'drew up a list' is correct and Usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to express that you have created a list of items. Example: I drew up a list of groceries that I need to buy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Shark Fin team drew up a list of fifty options.

The New Yorker

In order to justify defunding Planned Parenthood, Texas officials in 2013 drew up a list of alternative providers.

The Guardian

"We drew up a list," Johnson says of the planned kitchenware and home decorative product lines.

Huffington Post

We drew up a list of problems that the CRAs might encounter during data collection.

BMC Health Services Research

I drew up a list.

The New York Times - Food

"Apparently they drew up a list," I say.

The Guardian

They have semiannual family retreats and drew up a list of family values that they enforce.

The New York Times

After hearing presentations from experts on each problem, they drew up a list of priorities.

The Economist

Working the Internet, he drew up a list of grape brokers.

The New York Times - Food

I drew up a list of words to look up to compare their styles.

The New York Times - Tech

If I drew up a list, Mr X would soon slap me with a lawsuit.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While "drew up a list" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts may benefit from alternatives like "compiled a list".

Common error

Avoid shifting verb tenses when discussing the list creation process. If you start with "drew up a list", maintain the past tense consistently. For example, don't say "She drew up a list and then will review it later."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drew up a list" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of creating or preparing a list. As Ludwig AI states, it's considered correct and usable in written English. The examples show it used across various contexts to describe the creation of a list for different purposes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

14%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drew up a list" is a common and correct English phrase used to describe the creation of a list, often with the implication of planning or organization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in various writing contexts. While generally neutral in tone, more formal options like "compiled a list" might be preferred in certain professional settings. The phrase is frequently found in news and media sources, as well as scientific and general contexts. When using this phrase, maintain consistent verb tense and clearly indicate the purpose of the list's creation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made a list

A very common and neutral alternative.

created a list

A simpler and more direct alternative, suitable for various contexts.

compiled a list

Replaces "drew up" with a more formal verb, emphasizing the gathering and arranging of items.

prepared a list

Highlights the readiness and planning aspects of list creation.

developed a list

Implies a more complex or detailed list creation process.

put together a list

Informal alternative, suggesting a collaborative or less formal effort.

drafted a list

Suggests a preliminary or initial version of the list.

formulated a list

Emphasizes the careful and methodical creation of the list.

invented a list

Highlights originality of content in the list.

catalogued a list

Highlights ordered compilation.

FAQs

What does "drew up a list" mean?

The phrase "drew up a list" means to create or compile a list of items, often after some consideration or planning.

What can I say instead of "drew up a list"?

You can use alternatives like "compiled a list", "created a list", or "put together a list" depending on the context.

Is "drew up a list" formal or informal?

"Drew up a list" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives exist for professional writing.

How to use "drew up a list" in a sentence?

You can use "drew up a list" in a sentence like, "The team "drew up a list" of requirements for the new project."