I was proposed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was proposed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the experience of someone asking for your hand in marriage. Example: "Last weekend, I was proposed to in a beautiful park, and I couldn't believe how romantic it was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"I was proposed to three times since then, but I always had a terrible problem with commitment".

The New York Times - Style

"I think I was more excited to hear this than I would be if I was proposed to by my own boyfriend & have just texted every family member & friend !!!" one commenter wrote.

The New Yorker

Dr. Kandel said, "There's no question in my mind that I was proposed to win the Nobel Prize because of the opportunities that Hughes provided me to move into molecular biology, and Max supported that fully".

The New York Times

After three years, I was proposed to.

Huffington Post

The conformational change of the IgE constant region that occurs upon binding to FcεRI was proposed to contribute to the remarkably slow dissociation rate of receptor-bound IgE [11].

Plosone

The diagonal modification at the β- and δ- meso-carbons in IsdG/I was proposed to occur because the extreme heme ruffling places the terminal oxygen of the putative FeIII OOH in proximity of both the β- and δ- meso-carbons.

Accounts of Chemical Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"I couldn't get them to make a proposal to me in countering anything I was proposing to them," Phillips said.

The New York Times - Sports

She told me a little about the town, and then I told her what I was proposing to do.

The Washington Post

When I told my daughter that I should help other elderly people by publicizing the savings, she exploded, claiming that I was proposing to undermine the price system, driving a business into bankruptcy.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was proposing to Graham that he hire Oberdorfer and me to do investigative stories that would start with a magazine piece in Newsweek — owned then by The Washington Post Co. — to be followed by newspaper stories that pushed for reforms.

The Washington Post

He asked, in horrified tones, whether I was proposing to force his bank to participate in a "social program".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was proposed to", ensure the context clearly indicates a marriage proposal. Avoid ambiguity by including details such as the location, the proposer, or the ring.

Common error

Avoid using "I was proposed to" when you mean "I was proposing". The passive voice indicates you received the proposal, not that you made it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was proposed to" functions as a passive voice construction. It indicates that the speaker was the recipient of a marriage proposal. The auxiliary verb "was" and the past participle "proposed" form the passive voice, shifting the focus from the proposer to the person being proposed to. Ludwig confirms that this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was proposed to" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression used to convey that one has received a marriage proposal. Though Ludwig indicates its correctness, its usage frequency is relatively rare. Predominantly found in news and media and scientific contexts, this passive construction effectively communicates a significant life event, shifting focus onto the person who received the proposal. Remember to use this phrase accurately, ensuring the context clearly denotes a marriage proposition. As Ludwig points out, be mindful not to confuse it with the active form "I proposed", where you are the one extending the offer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I received a marriage proposal

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction, focusing on receiving the proposal.

Someone proposed to me

More direct and active, highlighting the person who proposed.

I got a proposal of marriage

Uses "got" in a more informal way to indicate receiving a marriage proposal.

I was asked to marry

Focuses on the request to marry, simplifying the sentence structure.

I was given a proposal of marriage

Emphasizes the act of being given a formal proposal.

A proposal was made to me

More formal and passive, suitable for certain contexts.

I heard wedding bells

Idiomatic expression indicating an impending marriage.

I was courted

Describes a longer period of courtship leading up to a proposal.

I was wooed

Similar to "courted" but with a stronger emphasis on romantic pursuit.

I had a suitor

Indicates someone who is actively seeking to marry you.

FAQs

What does "I was proposed to" mean?

It means that someone asked you to marry them; you received a marriage proposal.

What is a more formal way to say "I was proposed to"?

A more formal phrasing could be "I received a marriage proposal" or "a proposal was made to me".

Is it correct to say "I was proposed to"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice to indicate that you were the recipient of a marriage proposal, as mentioned by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "I was proposed to" and "I proposed"?

"I was proposed to" means you received the proposal. "I proposed" means you made the proposal to someone else. They are opposite actions.