how to devise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how to devise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing methods or strategies for creating or planning something. Example: "In this workshop, we will explore how to devise effective marketing strategies for small businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

The bureau's biggest headache was deciding how to devise a required legal shield for banks.

The New York Times

Scientists are also learning how adjuvants work and how to devise them rationally rather than by trial and error.

The New York Times

The FSA is currently conducting a pilot with five "systemically important" banks about how to devise living wills.

The Guardian - Business

Along the way, they acquired essential tools of inquiry, like how to devise good methods for gathering various kinds of data.

The New York Times

Talk story about a speech given by Bernhardt J. Hurwood at the Mercantile Library on how to devise plots for detective stories.

The New Yorker

Along the way, it also gave a few clues to health insiders and politicians on how to devise messages for the general election.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Rappert (2005) has shown how "attempts to devise prohibitions [of weapons] regularly entail delineating certain actions or artefacts as inappropriate, unacceptable, and so forth" (p. 212) and how this requires "cutting up complex socio-technical assemblages" (p. 227).

BioSocieties

To achieve this challenging objective while preventing the robot from becoming stuck at an undesired closed-loop equilibrium point, we first address the problem of how to iteratively devise a series of virtual composite links to be used for designing a coordinate transformation on the angles of all the active joints.

Automatica

Nowadays we we design drugs rather than discovering them, using what we know about how diseases work to devise tactics to defeat them.

The Guardian

The most fascinating aspect of the tech bubble is not how many companies were overvalued or how many companies actually failed to devise and operate a viable business it's how many companies that were clearly a party to that bubble ultimately became successfully growing companies.

Forbes

And because the concept of money was foreign, the weavers' society had to devise how to compensate members with alternatives.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how to devise", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being created or planned. For instance, specify "how to devise a marketing strategy" rather than just "how to devise".

Common error

Avoid using "how to devise" in overly broad contexts without specifying the subject. For example, instead of saying "They discussed how to devise", specify "They discussed how to devise a new budget plan".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how to devise" functions as a relative clause, often introducing a discussion or explanation of the method used to create or plan something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how to devise" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, especially within news, scientific, and business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and versatility, indicating it's a reliable phrase for describing the process of creating or planning something strategically. While alternatives like "methods for creating" or "strategies for planning" exist, "how to devise" maintains a distinct emphasis on thoughtful and ingenious planning. When incorporating "how to devise" in your writing, remember to specify the subject matter to maintain clarity and avoid overgeneralization, ensuring effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

methods for creating

Replaces "devise" with the more general term "creating", emphasizing the act of bringing something into existence.

strategies for planning

Focuses on the strategic aspect of devising, highlighting the planning process.

techniques for formulating

Substitutes "devise" with "formulating", suggesting a more structured and systematic approach.

approaches to designing

Emphasizes the design aspect, implying a deliberate and intentional process.

ways of developing

Uses "developing" to suggest a gradual and evolving process of creation.

means of constructing

Highlights the building or assembling aspect of devising, implying a tangible outcome.

processes for inventing

Focuses on the inventive aspect, suggesting the creation of something entirely new.

systems for conceiving

Emphasizes the conceptualization aspect, highlighting the initial stages of devising.

schemes for originating

Suggests a planned and organized approach to bringing something into being.

tactics for initiating

Focuses on the starting or beginning aspect, implying a plan for launching something.

FAQs

How can I use "how to devise" in a sentence?

You can use "how to devise" to describe the method or process of creating something, such as "The manual explains "how to devise a budget"" or "Scientists are researching "how to devise new materials"."

What are some alternatives to "how to devise"?

Alternatives include "methods for creating", "strategies for planning", or "techniques for formulating", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "how to devise" or "how to create"?

"How to create" is a more general term, while "how to devise" implies a more strategic and planned approach. Use "how to devise" when you want to emphasize the planning and ingenuity involved in creating something, but if you're discussing making or building something instead of planning, use "how to create".

What does "how to devise" imply about the process of creation?

"How to devise" suggests a thoughtful and deliberate process of planning and creating something, often involving problem-solving and ingenuity. It indicates more than just simple creation; it suggests a strategic and well-thought-out approach.