very first draft

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'very first draft' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the first version of a piece of writing. For example, "I wrote the very first draft of this essay last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"The very first draft had Mike Brady funny but not a great president," Mr. Schwartz recalled.

The New York Times

The very first draft screenplay by Norman Wexler is actually what appeared on screen.

The New York Times

In the very first draft, this piece was set in London and had a sci-fi feel to it.

The New Yorker

The city's very first draft notices were delivered to squalid "tenement houses" huddled behind Endicott Street, not far from the scene of the events at the armory.

The New York Times

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Abbott denied Australia had been forced into climate discussions, saying "the very first draft [of the G20 communique] talked about climate change, all the way through we have been talking about energy efficiency and climate change".

The Guardian

In addition, I also shared with the teacher the importance of obtaining the very first draft of the students' writing for the present study.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

You don't have to show the very first rough draft to anyone, but the important part will be knowing that you will have achieved something.

WikiHow

I think the thing to do is write a very bad first draft.

The Guardian

RAMS A very nice first draft for Billy Devaney and Steve Spagnuolo, getting Jason Smith to replace Orlando Pace and adding linebacker James Laurinaitis.

The New York Times

In an email, Mahony described the contract offered by Blair's lieutenants as "a very aggressive first draft with almost total limitation of liability for TB".

The Guardian

If the movie feels like a very rough first draft, that's probably because it was.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When talking about processes (i.e. writing, business plans) use "very first draft" in comparison with future drafts in order to remark how much the subject changed.

Common error

Avoid prematurely sharing a "very first draft" as a polished piece. Ensure it undergoes revisions and editing before presenting it as a completed work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very first draft" functions as a noun phrase, specifying the initial version of a written work. It serves to identify the earliest and often unrefined iteration, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very first draft" denotes the initial and often unpolished version of a written piece. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, primarily in news, media, science, and wiki sources. While it's a neutral term, understanding its purpose is critical: it sets expectations for content that's a work in progress. Related phrases like "initial draft" or "rough draft" offer similar meanings but with slight differences in emphasis. When using "very first draft", be mindful not to present it as a final product and avoid sharing it prematurely. The key takeaway is to recognize its role as a starting point in a larger writing process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial draft

Replaces "very first" with "initial", maintaining the meaning of the earliest version.

original draft

Substitutes "very first" with "original", denoting the initial form.

preliminary draft

Uses "preliminary" instead of "very first", indicating a draft that is subject to further changes.

first version

Employs "version" in place of "draft", focusing on the initial state of a document or piece of work.

rough draft

Highlights the unpolished, early nature of the draft by using the adjective "rough".

early version

Indicates that the version is at its initial stage.

initial manuscript

Focuses on the original written document.

prototype draft

Implies an experimental, initial draft.

starting draft

Emphasizes the beginning phase of the writing process.

primary draft

Suggests a basic, initial draft.

FAQs

How can I use "very first draft" in a sentence?

You can use "very first draft" to emphasize that something is in its earliest, most unrefined state. For example, "The professor only wanted to see the "very first draft" to assess the initial ideas."

What are some alternatives to saying "very first draft"?

Alternatives include "initial draft", "original draft", or "preliminary draft". The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to share my "very first draft" with others?

While it's generally advisable to revise and edit your work before sharing, showing a "very first draft" can be useful for receiving early feedback on your ideas and direction.

What's the difference between a "very first draft" and a "final draft"?

The "very first draft" is the initial, often messy, version of a document. The "final draft" is the polished, edited, and completed version, ready for submission or publication.