formulated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "formulated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe the process of creating an idea or plan. For example, "The committee formulated a plan to increase their membership."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Prinz rues the loss of the "mid-generation of well-trained and knowledgeable doctors, most of whom left for England with the young ones because a bonus scheme was never formulated for them".

The Guardian

Education should be a basic right for every child, but we need to address the existing educational issues before our children benefit from a fully formulated and effective system".

The Guardian

In response, in 2007, the municipality formulated the Greater Mumbai disaster management action plan, which identified the risks and vulnerabilities the city could face, including floods, earthquakes and cyclones; it also formed the Disaster Management Cell to co-ordinate relief and rescue efforts, and widened and deepened the Mithi River, which drains into the Arabian Sea.

The Guardian

Indigenisation followed the principles formulated by Lenin in quite unambiguous terms: The proletariat cannot but fight against the forcible retention of the oppressed nations within the boundaries of a given state, and this is exactly what the struggle for the right of self-determination means.

The Guardian

"I served on the committee as we formulated our current policy strategy and I strongly support that strategy," she said.

The Guardian - Business

And those focus groups formulated Yes Scotland's eventual campaign: an effort to persuade sceptical voters that independence was a natural next step after devolution.

The Guardian

She said the deal had been formulated "in concert with over 500 non-government advisers, 85% of whom were industry executives and industry lobbyists".

The Guardian

Formulated in the spirit of compromise and pragmatism that has characterised the best of the ANC since 1994, they involve hardly any direct government coercion.

The Economist

In their ideal world, it would be formulated by the European Commission in Brussels and decided on by a majority vote of the EU's countries.

The Economist

The true goal, as formulated at a fringe meeting by Neil Kinnock, a former Labour leader, is to "grind the [Tory] bastards into dust".Not Gordon, just FlashThe sadism strategy, with its relentless insistence on gravity and sobriety, probably began as a tactic, designed to turn Mr Brown's perceived weaknesses his uncharismatic seriousness to his advantage.

The Economist

Moreover, the EPA did not dream up the seemingly haphazard process by which most of these rules are formulated and applied: that is dictated by the Clean Air Act, which was approved by Congress in 1970 and updated in 1990, both times with strong bipartisan support.That bipartisanship has since evaporated.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "formulated" when you want to emphasize the careful and deliberate process of creating a plan, strategy, or idea. It suggests a structured and thoughtful approach.

Common error

Avoid using "formulated" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler words like "created" or "made" would be more appropriate. "Formulated" lends a formal and sometimes overly technical tone.

Linguistic Context

The term "formulated" primarily functions as a past participle, often used to modify nouns like "plan", "strategy", or "policy". As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes something that has been carefully and deliberately created. The Ludwig examples show its usage in contexts requiring precise expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formulated" is a versatile past participle that adds a sense of formality and precision to writing. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's generally used to describe plans, strategies, or ideas that have been carefully and deliberately developed. While "formulated" is common in news, business, and scientific contexts, it's best to avoid it in casual writing. Alternatives like ""developed"", "created", and "devised" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The examples in Ludwig reflect its usage across a range of authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developed

Emphasizes the gradual and detailed process of bringing something into existence.

created

Highlights the act of bringing something new into being.

devised

Suggests an inventive and clever approach to creating a plan or solution.

contrived

Implies a plan or idea that may be artificial or cleverly planned.

drafted

Focuses on the initial writing or outlining of a plan or document.

designed

Highlights the intentional and purposeful creation of something.

prepared

Emphasizes readiness and forethought in the creation process.

established

Focuses on setting up or founding a system or idea.

concocted

Suggests creating something, often a plan or story, in an imaginative or sometimes deceptive way.

invented

Emphasizes originality and the creation of something entirely new.

FAQs

How is "formulated" used in a sentence?

The word "formulated" is typically used as a past participle to describe a plan, strategy, or idea that has been carefully developed. For example, "The committee "developed" a new policy after careful consideration".

What are some alternatives to using "formulated"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as ""developed"", "created", or "devised" as substitutes for "formulated".

Is it correct to say "poorly formulated"?

Yes, "poorly formulated" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe something that is badly or inadequately planned or expressed. For example, "The proposal was rejected because it was poorly "articulated"".

What is the difference between "formulated" and "created"?

"Formulated" implies a more structured and deliberate process of creation, often involving careful planning and consideration. "Created" is a more general term that can refer to any act of bringing something into existence. Using formulated signals that there was a formal "preparation" process.