formulate plans

USAGE SUMMARY

"formulate plans" is correct and commonly used in written English.
This phrase means to create or develop plans or strategies. It is often used in professional settings, such as business, project management, or politics. Example sentence: The company's executives spent hours in the boardroom to formulate plans for the upcoming merger.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

At least we could start to formulate plans.

The Guardian - Business

Several European nations are trying to formulate plans for international observers that Israel might find palatable.

The New York Times

Next week many of the athletes' agents will meet in Paris to formulate plans to unionize.

The New York Times - Sports

He also said he would formulate plans about how to pursue his outreach initiative over the next couple of weeks.

The New York Times

The Charter also gives the Security Council the responsibility to formulate plans for arms control and disarmament.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The league was to supervise mandated territories, the occupied Saar Basin, and Danzig and to formulate plans for reducing armaments.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

The description should help formulate planning questions about the development of urban networks.

Cities

Social reformers and colonial theorists formulated plans to settle Algeria with European emigrants.

Cornell University

Worse, few (if any) professional town planners study retailing before formulating plans.

Cities

He declined and promptly called a town hall meeting in the lobby, where the board listened to the complaints and formulated plans to address them.

The New York Times

For half an hour, they worked through the fine points of the observation and formulated plans for what she could practice next.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "formulate plans", ensure that the context clearly indicates the purpose and scope of the plans being developed for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice when describing who is "formulating plans". Instead of saying "Plans were formulated", specify who formulated them to add clarity and accountability: "The team formulated plans" is more direct and effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formulate plans" functions as a verb phrase, where 'formulate' acts as the main verb and 'plans' as its direct object. As Ludwig AI confirms, this verb phrase commonly describes the act of creating or developing strategies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

20%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formulate plans" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe the process of developing strategies or courses of action. Ludwig AI indicates that it is often used in professional settings. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, with a professional register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the plan's purpose and scope, and avoid overuse of the passive voice. Related phrases include "develop strategies", "create action plans", and "devise a strategy".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop strategies

Focuses on the strategic aspect of planning, often implying a more detailed and long-term approach.

create action plans

Emphasizes the practical and actionable nature of the plans being developed.

devise a strategy

Implies a clever or inventive approach to creating a plan.

establish a roadmap

Suggests a plan that outlines the steps to achieve a specific goal.

craft a blueprint

Highlights the detailed and structural nature of the plan.

design a program

Focuses on creating a structured set of activities or procedures.

shape a course of action

Implies molding or influencing the direction of a plan.

construct a framework

Highlights the creation of a basic structure to support a plan.

arrange logistics

Focuses on the practical details and arrangements necessary for a plan.

map out a procedure

Implies a detailed and step-by-step plan.

FAQs

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

You can use "formulate plans" to describe the process of creating strategies or courses of action. For example: "The committee met to "develop strategies" for the upcoming project."

What are some alternatives to "formulate plans"?

Alternatives include "create action plans", "devise a strategy", or "establish a roadmap", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "formulate plans" or "make plans"?

"Formulate plans" is generally more formal and implies a more structured and thoughtful process than "make plans". The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What does it mean to "formulate plans"?

To "formulate plans" means to develop or create a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something. It involves thinking carefully about the best way to achieve a particular goal.