formulated a plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formulated a plan" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to create or develop a plan in a deliberate and intentional manner. Example: The team formulated a plan to increase sales by targeting a new market segment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

So he formulated a plan.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

No 3 Jones had formulated a plan based on the shortcomings of his team.

The Guardian - Sport

She then formulated a plan for how she'd approach these requests.

Harvard Business Review

They formulated a plan to counter the Pirates' aggressiveness: They decided Scherzer should throw more curveballs.

The Washington Post

Last fall, the three met for coffee and formulated a plan.

The New York Times

Faced with the threat of takeover, the principal, Jody Leleck, formulated a plan to raise achievement, and won a reprieve.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It could never formulate a plan.

The New Yorker

"We're formulating a plan".

The New York Times

I'll look at the videos tomorrow, formulate a plan.

The Guardian - Sport

team, his older brothers began to formulate a plan for his future.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, specify the context or purpose of the "plan" to enhance clarity. For instance, "The company formulated a plan to expand into new markets" provides more information than simply, "The company formulated a plan."

Common error

Avoid using "formulated a plan" without providing sufficient context. A common mistake is not specifying the details of the plan, leaving the reader unclear about the intended actions or goals. Always elaborate on the key components of the plan.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formulated a plan" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun phrase, indicating the action of creating or developing a strategy. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

14%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "formulated a plan" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe the creation of a strategy or course of action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common use. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news and media to academic and scientific writing. While versatile, it’s best practice to provide context and specifics about the plan to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "developed a strategy" or "devised a scheme" to add nuance where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developed a strategy

Replaces "plan" with "strategy", implying a more detailed and long-term approach.

devised a scheme

Substitutes "plan" with "scheme", which can sometimes suggest a slightly more cunning or inventive approach.

created a blueprint

Replaces "plan" with "blueprint", implying a detailed and technical plan.

established a roadmap

Replaces "plan" with "roadmap", suggesting a sequence of steps to achieve a specific goal.

crafted a proposal

Substitutes "plan" with "proposal", emphasizing a suggestion or offer for consideration.

concocted a design

Replaces "plan" with "design", often implying creativity or ingenuity in the planning process.

mapped out a course of action

Expands "formulated a plan" to explicitly state the intention of acting upon the plan.

prepared an approach

Replaces "plan" with "approach", suggesting a method or way of dealing with a situation.

arranged a project

Substitutes "plan" with "project", focusing on a specific undertaking with defined goals.

outlined a procedure

Replaces "plan" with "procedure", indicating a detailed set of instructions.

FAQs

How can I use "formulated a plan" in a sentence?

You can use "formulated a plan" to describe the act of creating a strategy or course of action. For example, "After analyzing the data, the team formulated a plan to improve efficiency."

What are some alternatives to saying "formulated a plan"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "developed a strategy", "devised a scheme", or "created a blueprint".

Is it better to say "formulated a plan" or "made a plan"?

"Formulated a plan" suggests a more careful and deliberate process of creating a strategy, while "made a plan" is more general. The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "formulated a plan" and "implemented a plan"?

"Formulated a plan" refers to the creation of a strategy, while "implemented a plan" means putting the strategy into action. One precedes the other in a logical sequence.