to devise plans

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to devise plans" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of creating or formulating strategies or schemes for a particular purpose. Example: "The team met to devise plans for the upcoming project, ensuring that all aspects were thoroughly considered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Agencies releasing toxic substances would have to devise plans to halve emissions by 1999 and to report emissions publicly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The campaigners also called for laws requiring departments to devise plans for "recruitment and retention of minority police officers".

The Guardian

Still, it is in Doha that the slow-turning wheels of global politics will try to devise plans to both mitigate climate change and adapt to it.

The New York Times

"I'm going to be working with our sports psychologists and (coach) Andy Banks to devise plans to get me back on track with that dive".

Independent

The laws do not apply to catching people at home with their ballots, and that has freed party tacticians to devise plans to court the early vote.

The New York Times

He also told managers of the government's 500,000 buildings nationwide to devise plans to reduce their energy use as much as possible.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

To help states devise plans, the federal health agency intends to release $200 million now.

The New York Times

The preliminary injunction will spell out the extent to which they may meet and devise plans to lay before Congress.

The New York Times

The officers of Harbor devise plans to deal with the myriad threats.

The New York Times

He said he planned to "devise a plan that works" for the rest.

The New York Times

A federal judge ordered the states to devise integration plans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to devise plans" when you want to emphasize the intellectual effort and creativity involved in coming up with solutions or strategies. It's particularly effective in contexts where the plans are complex or innovative.

Common error

Avoid using "to devise plans" when simpler alternatives like "to plan" or "to prepare" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted in everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to devise plans" functions as an infinitive phrase, often serving as the complement of a verb or part of a verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and usable phrase in written English. It describes the act of creating or formulating strategies or schemes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to devise plans" is a grammatically correct and usable infinitive phrase that describes the act of creating strategies or solutions. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for formal contexts, such as news, academic, and professional settings, where a proactive and deliberate approach to planning is emphasized. While "to devise plans" is less common in everyday conversation, using the phrase allows for a precise and impactful description of strategic planning. Remember to use it in contexts where its formality aligns with the tone of your writing and that simpler alternatives exists such as "to formulate strategies", "to develop strategies", or "to create strategies".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to formulate strategies

Focuses more on the strategic aspect of planning.

to develop strategies

Emphasizes the process of building or creating strategies.

to create strategies

Highlights the act of bringing strategies into existence.

to draw up plans

Suggests a more formal or detailed approach to creating plans.

to craft plans

Implies a skillful and careful creation of plans.

to design plans

Uses a design-oriented term, suggesting a structured and intentional approach.

to concoct schemes

Suggests a more inventive or imaginative approach, sometimes with a hint of trickery.

to formulate a course of action

Focuses on defining a specific set of actions to achieve a goal.

to map out a strategy

Implies a detailed and comprehensive planning process.

to lay out a blueprint

Suggests creating a detailed and structured plan for execution.

FAQs

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

You can use "to devise plans" to describe the act of creating strategies or solutions. For example, "The committee met to devise plans for improving employee morale."

What are some alternatives to "to devise plans"?

Some alternatives include "to formulate strategies", "to develop strategies", or "to create strategies", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "to devise plans" and "to make plans"?

"To devise plans" suggests a more thoughtful and strategic approach to planning, while "to make plans" is a more general term for arranging or preparing for something.

When is it most appropriate to use "to devise plans"?

It is best to use "to devise plans" in formal or professional contexts where you want to emphasize the complexity or ingenuity of the planning process. News articles, academic papers, and business reports are all good fits.