was not drafted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not drafted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something, such as a document or plan, was not created or prepared in a formal manner. Example: "The proposal was not drafted in time for the meeting, which caused delays in the decision-making process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Despite being named first-team all-Big East as a senior, he was not drafted in 2000.

The New York Times - Sports

He was not drafted.

The New York Times

One was not drafted.

The New York Times - Sports

That April he was not drafted.

The New York Times - Sports

He was not drafted at all.

The New York Times - Sports

Another, Heath Bell, was not drafted.

The New York Times

Michael Matthews was not drafted in April.

The New York Times - Sports

He enlisted in the Army; he was not drafted.

The New York Times - Arts

Smith was not drafted out of high school.

The New York Times - Sports

He said he was disappointed that he was not drafted.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The event is not being organised by the police and the advert was not drafted by the force.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's career in sports or military service, use "was not drafted" to clearly indicate they weren't selected through a formal draft process. This distinguishes them from individuals who were.

Common error

Avoid using "was not drafted" when you mean simply "was not selected" or "was not chosen". "Drafted" specifically refers to a selection process like those used in sports or military conscription. If there wasn't a formal drafting process, choose a more general term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not drafted" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject did not undergo the action of being drafted. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

22%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not drafted" is a grammatically correct and common way to express that someone or something wasn't selected through a formal draft process. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media, particularly in sports contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that a drafting process is indeed what you're referring to, and consider alternative phrases like "was not selected" or "went undrafted" for broader or more specific meanings. Avoiding confusion by clarifying the type of selection process will enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went undrafted

Specifically indicates the failure to be chosen in a draft, commonly in sports.

was not chosen

Highlights the absence of being chosen from a group or list.

was not selected

Focuses on the lack of selection in a general sense, rather than specifically through a draft process.

was not picked

Emphasizes a lack of choice or selection, often in a more informal context.

was passed over

Highlights the act of being overlooked or ignored in favor of others.

was not included

Indicates the exclusion from a set or list, broader than a draft.

did not make the cut

Implies failing to meet a certain standard for selection or inclusion.

was omitted

Suggests an intentional exclusion or oversight in including something.

was not appointed

Indicates the absence of being formally assigned or designated to a position.

was not elected

Focuses on failing to win an election or selection process.

FAQs

How is "was not drafted" used in a sentence?

The phrase "was not drafted" indicates that someone or something was not chosen through a formal draft process. For example, "Despite his talent, he "was not drafted" by any team".

What's a simple way to say "was not drafted"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "was not selected", "went undrafted", or "was not chosen". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

What does it mean when someone says an athlete "went undrafted"?

Saying an athlete "went undrafted" means they were eligible for a professional sports draft but weren't selected by any team during the selection process.

Is it appropriate to use "was not drafted" outside of sports or military contexts?

While primarily used in sports and military contexts, "was not drafted" can be used more broadly to indicate that something "was not selected" or formally included in a plan or document. However, consider if a more general phrase would be clearer.