Phrasal verb
draw on
Definition
phrasal verb. to use information, experience, or a supply of something to help you do a task.
phrasal verb. to utilize a particular resource, such as knowledge, experience, or financial reserves, as a basis for a current action or project.
Examples
“She draws on her experience as a teacher to write children's books.”
“The novelist draws on his childhood memories to create a realistic setting for the story.”
“The research team will draw on extensive historical archives to substantiate their claims regarding the economic shift.”
Examples
simple
“She draws on her experience as a teacher to write children's books.”
contextual
“The novelist draws on his childhood memories to create a realistic setting for the story.”
complex
“The research team will draw on extensive historical archives to substantiate their claims regarding the economic shift.”
Usage
transitive; the object is typically an abstract resource like knowledge, skills, or memories.
Teaching tip
contrast with the literal 'draw' (to sketch); here, the metaphor is 'pulling' from a well or source of supply.
Pitfall
He draws on to his savings.
He draws on his savings.
the verb is followed directly by the object without an extra preposition like 'to'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
on
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
draw + on + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/draw-on