plotted

USAGE SUMMARY

"plotted" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a verb meaning to plan or arrange something, or to mark out the measurements of something. Example sentence: The team plotted out their route for the road trip.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is alleged that the men plotted together to enter Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company in London's Hatton Garden and steal a quantity of jewellery and other items.

The Guardian

But given the animosity shown towards him by senior Tories – just before the election, they plotted to unseat him – the Conservatives might be unwise to expect him to favour them.

The Guardian

Related: Nicola Sturgeon offers new deal to help Ed Miliband into No 10 In the concrete car park directly across from the ancient abbey of Paisley – resting place of the royal house of Stuart and a place where 19th-century radicals once plotted an overthrow of the government – Black's supporters are more warmly dressed in Puffa jackets and scarves.

The Guardian

When the currency Juncker helped to create started to unravel in 2010 under the weight of a ballooning banking and sovereign debt emergency, he played a key role, for better or for worse, in the crisis management as president for eight years of the Eurogroup, the committee of eurozone finance ministers that created the instruments to save the currency and plotted a wayward route out of disaster.

The Guardian

Throughout 2009, in a series of interviews, Kamal laid out his evidence, using maps that plotted the routes used by jihadists to cross the border into western Iraq, and confessions that linked their journeys to specific mid-ranking officers in Syrian military intelligence.

The Guardian

The USA Freedom Act is "a resounding victory for those who currently plotted against our homeland", he said.

The Guardian

Ideological orientation is plotted from left to right, with the most deeply conservative members on the right.

The Guardian

The novelist Frances Burney plotted her second novel Cecilia: or, Memoirs of an Heiress, around the problem of a man who had to take a woman's surname.

The Guardian - Books

While in Kandahar, he is thought to have plotted the September 11th attacks with Mohammed Atta, the lead suicide hijacker.

The Economist

And it is far better to agree to some form of standard now, rather that wait for an atrocity plotted behind impenetrable walls to be unleashed: if that happens the Dick Cheneys and Donald Rumsfelds of the future will be setting the rules.The place where liberals should fight and the spooks should concede is over supervision and due process.

The Economist

Plotted on a chart, the distribution looks like a fireman's helmet, with a peak in front and a long tail behind.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To convey malicious intent when employing the word "plotted," provide details about the scheme or conspiracy. For example, "The conspirators plotted to overthrow the government."

Common error

Be aware that "plotted" can have negative connotations, particularly when referring to conspiracies or secret plans. Choose a more neutral verb like "planned" or "designed" if a negative meaning is not intended.

Linguistic Context

The word "plotted" primarily functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb "plot". It indicates an action that has been completed, such as planning a secret or malicious scheme, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plotted" serves as the past tense and past participle form of "plot", commonly found in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, while also showing that it can carry both neutral (as in data plotting) and negative connotations (as in secret schemes). While sources like The Economist and The Guardian frequently employ "plotted", it's crucial to consider the surrounding context to ensure the intended nuance is effectively communicated, avoiding potential misunderstandings by opting for more neutral alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laid plans

Focuses on the act of setting out or establishing plans for the future.

mapped out a strategy

Highlights the detailed and comprehensive planning of a strategy.

formulated a plan

Highlights the systematic and detailed development of a plan.

devised a scheme

Emphasizes the creation of a plan, often implying complexity or cunning.

charted a course

Implies mapping out a specific route or direction to achieve a goal.

prepared meticulously

Highlights the careful and thorough preparation involved in the planning process.

concocted a strategy

Suggests the creation of a plan, often implying inventiveness or resourcefulness.

designed a project

Focuses on the creative and intentional development of a project.

arranged secretly

Emphasizes the covert or clandestine nature of the planning.

schemed to

Suggests a secret or underhanded plan, often with negative connotations.

FAQs

How is "plotted" typically used in a sentence?

The word "plotted" is used to describe the act of planning something, often secretly or with a specific goal in mind. It can also refer to marking data points on a graph or chart. For example, "They "plotted their revenge"" or "The data was "plotted on a scatter plot"".

What are some synonyms for "plotted" when referring to planning?

When "plotted" refers to planning, you can use synonyms like "planned", "schemed", "designed", or "devised", depending on the context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "plotted" always used with negative connotations?

While "plotted" often carries negative connotations, especially when referring to conspiracies or secret schemes, it can also be used neutrally, particularly in mathematical or scientific contexts when referring to data representation on graphs or charts. Understanding the context is key to interpreting the intended meaning.

Which is correct, "plotted a plan" or "planned a plan"?

While both are understandable, "planned a plan" is more common and less redundant. "Plotted a plan" can sound slightly awkward because "plotted" already implies the creation of a plan. Using "devised a plan" might be a stronger, and less repetitive, alternative.