formulate a plan of action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formulate a plan of action" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of creating a strategy or approach to achieve a specific goal or address a problem. Example: "In order to improve our sales performance, we need to formulate a plan of action that outlines our marketing strategies and target audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Ideational apraxia is characterized by the inability to formulate a plan of action.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since Sept. 11, the pressure to formulate a plan of action against Iraq has increased from members of Congress and other influential experts.

The New York Times

The IASC WG agreed on the creation of a Reference sub-Working Group, led by the World Health Organization, whose task would be to consider the options and recommendations put forward by UNAIDs with the view of "delimiting" the scope of the involvement of IASC members and to formulate a plan of action.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

To prepare, each team or individual read the scenario and formulated a plan of action.

The New York Times

Once you recognize that you face an ethical challenge, ask yourself the following questions to start formulating a plan of action.

Harvard Business Review

It is refreshing to have a president actually invest time and intellectual effort, circumspectly formulating a plan of action and not just surrounding himself with "the smartest military experts" or "retired officers".

The New York Times

As Managing Attorney, Sam formulates a "plan of action" after a thorough analysis of the facts and circumstances, thereby working to achieve the goals and expectations of each client.

Cornell University

Devise a plan of action.

WikiHow

Develop a plan of action.

WikiHow

Back in the classroom, she vowed to be more vigilant about her surroundings, and to always formulate a plan to take action if things went wrong.

HuffPost

There will be no tolerance of separatist terrorists !! They will be taken out and shot !! It's time to get the politics out of this and figure out exactly the exposure and formulate a detailed plan of action.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "formulate a plan of action", ensure the plan is well-defined and includes specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.

Common error

Avoid using "formulate a plan of action" without clearly defining the steps and objectives of the plan. A vague plan is as good as no plan.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formulate a plan of action" functions as a verbal phrase that describes the act of creating or developing a strategy or approach to achieve a specific objective. Ludwig's examples show its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formulate a plan of action" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the process of creating a strategy or approach to achieve a specific goal. Ludwig shows that it is commonly used in various contexts, including news, business, science, and general writing. The phrase is generally neutral to professional, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. While not extremely frequent, it is a recognized and accepted expression. As Ludwig AI confirms, its correct use and versatility make it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create an action plan

Emphasizes the creation of a structured plan with specific actions.

develop a strategy

Focuses on the development of an overarching strategy, rather than a detailed plan.

establish a strategic plan

Highlights the establishment of a well-thought-out strategic plan.

devise a course of action

Suggests a specific route or method for achieving a goal.

craft a tactical approach

Focuses on the detailed and practical steps of the plan.

outline a strategy

Stresses the importance of creating a clear and defined outline.

design a roadmap

Implies a visual and progressive plan with clear milestones.

lay out a blueprint

Implies a detailed and precise plan, similar to architectural blueprints.

put together a scheme

Suggests a more informal or inventive plan.

arrange a procedure

Emphasizes the arrangement and sequence of steps in a process.

FAQs

What does "formulate a plan of action" mean?

It means to develop a detailed strategy or approach to achieve a specific goal or address a problem.

How can I use "formulate a plan of action" in a sentence?

For example: "The team needs to "formulate a plan of action" to improve sales figures."

What can I say instead of "formulate a plan of action"?

You can use alternatives like "develop a strategy", "create an action plan", or "devise a course of action" depending on the context.

Is it better to "formulate a plan of action" or "implement a plan"?

"Formulate a plan of action" refers to the process of creating the plan, while "implement a plan" refers to putting the plan into action. They are different stages of the same process.