military draft

USAGE SUMMARY

"military draft" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use "military draft" when referring to the compulsory enlistment of people into a government's armed forces in order to serve in war or other military operations. For example: "The government started a military draft in order to combat the enemy forces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A military draft.

The New York Times

He later fought the military draft.

The New York Times

"International Law and the Military Draft," testimony by Stanley Faulkner.

Cornell University

She condemned the military draft and American involvement in Vietnam.

The New York Times

A military draft is now unthinkable in America.

The New York Times - Arts

They are scorned for dodging the military draft.

The New York Times

All-volunteer force (AVF), military force composed solely of volunteers, without resorting to a military draft.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Once in police custody, scores of young men were referred to military draft offices.

The New York Times

He played a big part, for example, in the campaign to abolish the American military draft.

The Economist

It was severe enough to get him rejected by the military draft during World War II.

The New York Times - Arts

On Monday, the Vietnamese prime minister signed a decree giving details on a possible military draft.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In contemporary discussions, be mindful of the potential political and emotional connotations associated with "military draft".

Common error

Do not use "military draft" interchangeably with "military service". The former implies mandatory participation, while the latter encompasses both voluntary and involuntary service.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "military draft" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It names a specific system of mandatory military conscription. Ludwig AI, through the provision of multiple examples, confirms its common use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "military draft" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase referring to the compulsory enlistment of people into military service. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's widely used in News & Media, Academia, and Science, with a neutral to formal register. Related phrases include "conscription" and "selective service". When using this phrase, be precise and avoid interchangeability with general "military service". Be aware of political connotations. There are nuances across countries. The frequency of use and the authoritative nature of sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscore its relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conscription

A more formal and direct synonym referring to the compulsory enlistment of people into military service.

military conscription

A more explicit variation, highlighting the military aspect of conscription.

selective service

Specifically refers to the system in the United States for maintaining a database of individuals eligible for military service.

mandatory military service

Emphasizes the obligatory nature of the service.

the draft

A shortened, more informal version of the term.

national service

A broader term that can include both military and non-military service options.

forced enlistment

Highlights the lack of choice in joining the military.

compulsory military training

Focuses on the training aspect of mandatory service.

peacetime draft

Specific to conscription during periods without active war.

call to arms

Figurative language that refers to entering military service

FAQs

How is "military draft" different from "military service"?

"Military draft" refers specifically to mandatory conscription, where individuals are required to join the armed forces. "Military service", on the other hand, is a broader term that includes both voluntary and involuntary participation.

What's a less formal term for "military draft"?

A less formal term for "military draft" is "the draft".

Is there a difference between "conscription" and "military draft"?

While often used interchangeably, "conscription" is a more formal and direct synonym for "military draft", referring to the compulsory enlistment of individuals into military service.

What are some alternatives to consider if I don't want to use the phrase "military draft"?

Depending on the context, consider using "selective service", "mandatory military service", or "national service".