formulate a defense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formulate a defense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in contexts where someone is preparing or creating a strategy or argument to protect or justify a position, often in legal or academic settings. Example: "The lawyer worked tirelessly to formulate a defense that would convince the jury of her client's innocence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The European Union has long planned a common European force that would allow it to formulate a defense policy separate from that of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which is dominated by the United States.

The New York Times

In the same spirit, Jürgen Habermas has tried to formulate a defense of the European Union that conceives of it as a key steppingstone towards supranational democracy.

SEP

If one adheres to this idea, the White House is about to manifest a level of insanity that confirms yet again a national failure to formulate a defense strategy that makes any sense, and, instead, purely reacts to the media story of the moment.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Bill Belichick, their coach, is respected as one of the great minds in formulating a defense.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Sharma said he was waiting to read the police charge sheet before formulating a defense strategy.

The New York Times

Testifying in a Japanese court about "In the Realm of the Senses," Mr. Oshima formulated a defense that could apply to almost all his work: "Nothing that is expressed is obscene.

The New York Times

After being sworn in Sunday, President Suleiman said Lebanon could learn from "the resistance" in formulating an overall defense strategy.

The New York Times

Rene formulates a defense for an African American teenager named Richie West, who is charged with manslaughter after he accidentally kills a white teen for calling him "nigger".

Vice

"We have long argued that the responsible way to implement reductions in defense spending is to formulate a strategy first and then develop a budget that supports the strategy," Ashton B. Carter, the deputy secretary of defense, told Congress this month.

The New York Times

At the latest hearing, on Nov. 1, Israel's defense minister, Ehud Barak, asked for a two-month extension to allow him to formulate a comprehensive plan for the removal of illegal outposts.

The New York Times

It could never formulate a plan.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "formulate a defense", consider the context and choose the most appropriate verb (e.g., "develop", "construct", "devise") to convey the specific nuance you intend.

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily complex sentence structures when using "formulate a defense". Clarity is key, so ensure your sentence is straightforward and easy to understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formulate a defense" functions as a verb phrase, where "formulate" is the verb and "a defense" is the noun phrase acting as the direct object. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formulate a defense" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the process of creating a strategic plan to protect or justify a position. While not exceedingly common, it is primarily found in news, academic, and formal business contexts. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and consider alternative verbs like "develop", "construct", or "devise" to convey your intended nuance. Remember that the phrase emphasizes strategic planning and is suitable for contexts where a well-thought-out defense is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop a defense strategy

Focuses on the strategic aspect of creating a defense.

construct a defense

Emphasizes the building or assembling of a defense.

devise a defense

Implies ingenuity and planning in creating a defense.

craft a defense

Highlights the skillful creation of a defense.

prepare a defense

Focuses on the act of getting ready with a defense.

establish a defense

Suggests setting up or founding a defense.

design a defense

Emphasizes the planning and blueprinting of a defense.

create a defensive plan

Highlights the planning aspect of forming a defense.

build a case for the defense

Centers on building the legal arguments for a defendant.

develop a line of defense

Refers to creating a strategic approach to defending a position.

FAQs

How can I use "formulate a defense" in a sentence?

You can use "formulate a defense" to describe the process of creating a strategy to protect a position or argue a case, as in, "The lawyer worked diligently to "formulate a defense" for her client".

What are some alternatives to "formulate a defense"?

Alternatives include "develop a defense strategy", "construct a defense", or "devise a defense", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "formulate a defense" or "create a defense"?

"Formulate a defense" implies a more strategic and planned approach, while "create a defense" is a more general term. The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired emphasis. Both "formulate a defense" and "create a defense" are correct.

When is it appropriate to use "formulate a defense"?

It's appropriate to use "formulate a defense" in contexts where someone is actively planning and developing a strategy to protect or justify a position, particularly in legal, academic, or strategic settings.