Formulate

Formulate is a verb meaning to devise or develop something in a systematic way, such as a plan, hypothesis, policy, or theory. It can also mean to express ideas in precise, formal terms, or to arrange information or actions into a specific format. In science and engineering, formulate often refers to turning ideas into a standard representation such as a model or equation.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin formulare “to fashion into a form,” from forma “form, shape.” In English, the sense broadened to include the creation of formal statements and, in technical fields, the expression of ideas as formulas or structured constructs.

Usage: In everyday and scholarly writing, people formulate a hypothesis, a plan, a policy, or a response. In mathematics and the sciences, researchers formulate equations, models, or theories. In pharmacology and chemical engineering, formulation refers to the composition and preparation of a drug product, and formulating a drug means selecting active ingredients and carriers to achieve a desired effect.

Grammar and patterns: The verb forms include formulate, formulates, formulated, and formulating. Common collocations include formulate a hypothesis, formulate a strategy, formulate guidelines, and formulate a policy. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with “develop” in informal contexts, but “formulate” emphasizes structure and precision.

See also: formulation, formula, policy formulation, mathematical formulation.