draw on — use experience, knowledge, or resources
phrasal verbB2IELTS 6+neutralcommon
to use information, experience, knowledge, or skills that you already have in order to help you do something.
Say it like a native
Textbook I utilised my previous professional experience to resolve the issue.
Native I drew on my past experience to sort it out.
'Draw on' is the natural verb for tapping experience; 'utilised my previous professional experience' is CV-speak.
Pattern: draw on sth
In use
- She was able to draw on her years of teaching experience to solve the problem quickly.study
- In my presentation, I will draw on several studies to support my argument.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ She drew on from her years of training.
✓ She drew on her years of training.
'Draw on' takes the resource directly — no 'from'.
Common collocations
draw on + experience/resources— experience, knowledge, savings, expertise
Don't confuse it
'Draw from' can mean to take something from a source, but 'draw on' means to use what you already have.