to devise a solution

USAGE SUMMARY

"to devise a solution" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to come up with or create a solution to a problem or challenge. You can use it in various contexts, such as: 1. The team worked together to devise a solution to the budget deficit. 2. She was able to devise a solution to the complex math problem. 3. The company's goal is to devise a sustainable solution for waste management. 4. The government is struggling to devise a solution to the rising crime rate. 5. After hours of brainstorming, we were finally able to devise a solution to the technical issue.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The Fed then ordered Rust to devise a solution.

The New York Times

The council spent about $1 million the last few years to devise a solution.

The New York Times

At best, this third rescue may buy time to devise a solution that allays investors' fears.

The New York Times

Mr. Bush said he would work with Congress next year to devise "a solution" that reduced disparities in insurance coverage without significantly increasing health costs.

The New York Times

Charities like the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunizations, backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, are trying to devise a solution.

The New York Times - Health

That afternoon, the participants broke into discussion groups, and were given forty-five minutos to devise a solution to end world poverty.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

He has met with state and federal regulators, hoping to devise a speedy solution to the multiple investigations into Salomon's business practices.

The New York Times

The same day, Mr. Thaksin assigned the deputy prime ministers, Somkid Jatusripitak and Bhokin Bhalakula, to devise a practical solution to the stock speculation problem.

The New York Times

Somehow, when not dealing with despairing junior doctors, he's found the time to devise a simple solution to end them all.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it is a reflection of one of the biggest challenges Mr. Obama and Congressional leaders have faced since they began tackling health care last year: how to devise a national solution for a problem that varies sharply from state to state.

The New York Times

A spokesman for Mr. Donovan said they were on a fast track to devise a creative solution to the housing disaster, but they were not ready to announce any specifics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to devise a solution", ensure the context clearly indicates the problem or challenge being addressed. This helps maintain clarity and relevance in your writing.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences in a way that obscures who is devising the solution. Instead of "A solution was devised", specify who did the devising: "The team devised a solution".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to devise a solution" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intent. It typically indicates the aim or objective of an action, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples where individuals or groups are actively working to create a resolution to a specific problem.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to devise a solution" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that conveys the idea of creating a plan to resolve a problem. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is versatile and appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the problem and avoiding passive voice. Consider alternative expressions like "formulate a solution" or "develop a solution" for nuanced meaning. The phrase enjoys common usage, particularly in news and media, marking it as a reliable option for expressing proactive problem-solving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to formulate a solution

Focuses on the planning and articulation of a solution.

to develop a solution

Emphasizes the gradual creation and improvement of a solution.

to create a solution

Highlights the act of bringing a solution into existence.

to come up with a solution

Implies generating a solution, often through brainstorming or creative thinking.

to engineer a solution

Suggests a methodical and technical approach to creating a solution.

to craft a solution

Emphasizes the skillful and careful creation of a solution.

to design a solution

Focuses on the planning and structural aspects of creating a solution.

to invent a solution

Highlights the innovative and original nature of the solution.

to think up a solution

Suggests a more spontaneous and imaginative approach to finding a solution.

to pioneer a solution

Implies being the first to create or implement a particular solution.

FAQs

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

You can use "to devise a solution" to describe the act of creating a solution for a particular problem. For example, "The engineers worked tirelessly to devise a solution to the city's traffic congestion".

What are some alternatives to "to devise a solution"?

Alternatives include "to formulate a solution", "to develop a solution", or "to create a solution", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "devise a solution" or "find a solution"?

"Devise a solution" implies creating something new, while "find a solution" suggests discovering an existing answer. The best choice depends on whether the solution is already available or needs to be created.

What's the difference between "to devise a solution" and "to implement a solution"?

"To devise a solution" refers to the process of creating or planning a solution, whereas "to implement a solution" means putting the devised solution into action.