a crazy idea for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a crazy idea for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a concept or suggestion that is unconventional or outlandish in nature. Example: "She proposed a crazy idea for a new marketing campaign that involved skywriting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"It's a crazy idea for a story, really," Sting said.

Independent

This was a crazy idea for several reasons.

The New York Times - Arts

SAN FRANCISCO — For anyone with a crazy idea for a Web business, the way to make it pay was once obvious: get a lot of visitors and sell ads.

The New York Times - Tech

"I had a crazy idea for a business in my back pocket," said Lindsey Dann Miller, 29, a designer who has been in the business for about 10 years.

The New York Times

Got a startup (or a crazy idea for one) that fits the bill?

TechCrunch

That means a couple of guys messing around with a crazy idea for a year while working for Michael Birch may just churn out something interesting.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

What a crazy idea -- people paying for a product or service directly.

HuffPost

Citizen Entrepreneurs take a crazy idea they have for making their neighborhood better while connecting the dots with the larger challenges we face, and make it happen.

HuffPost

Earlier this year, we had our first search for a Citizen Entrepreneur, a local green hero with a crazy idea to take responsibility for a corner of their world.

HuffPost

Backbone.js is part of a crazy idea that journalists had for Web-ifying the process of dealing with electronic documents (often in hard to use PDF file formats) for investigative reporting, a project that goes by DocumentCloud.

The New York Times

It seemed a crazy idea, but I got a budget for one year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a crazy idea for", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the 'crazy' aspect is positive (innovative, bold) or negative (impractical, unrealistic). This prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "crazy" simply as an intensifier without conveying a sense of unconventionality or risk. Consider stronger, more precise adjectives like "remarkable", "groundbreaking", or "ambitious" depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a crazy idea for" functions as a modifier introducing or describing a plan, concept, or initiative. It highlights the unconventional, sometimes risky, nature of the associated plan. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a crazy idea for" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce unconventional plans or concepts. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and identifies its frequent occurrence in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While the term "crazy" injects a degree of informality, the phrase's effectiveness hinges on whether the unconventionality is perceived positively (innovative) or negatively (impractical). Alternatives like "an outlandish concept for" or "an innovative thought for" can fine-tune the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an outlandish concept for

Replaces "crazy" with "outlandish", emphasizing the bizarre or unconventional nature of the idea.

a wild scheme for

Substitutes "idea" with "scheme", suggesting a more elaborate and potentially risky plan.

an innovative thought for

Replaces "crazy" with "innovative", highlighting the novelty and potential value of the idea.

an unconventional plan for

Emphasizes the non-standard nature of the plan.

a far-fetched notion for

Replaces "idea" with "notion", suggesting a less grounded or realistic concept.

an absurd proposal for

Substitutes "crazy" with "absurd", intensifying the sense of ridiculousness.

a radical concept for

Replaces "crazy" with "radical", indicating a departure from conventional norms.

a zany scheme for

Uses "zany" to highlight the quirky and eccentric aspect of the idea.

a whimsical idea for

Replaces "crazy" with "whimsical", suggesting a lighthearted and fanciful concept.

an eccentric plan for

Highlights the unusual and peculiar nature of the plan.

FAQs

How can I use "a crazy idea for" in a sentence?

Use "a crazy idea for" to introduce an unconventional or unusual plan, project, or thought. For example: "She had "a crazy idea for" a community garden on the rooftop of the building."

What's a more formal alternative to "a crazy idea for"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "an innovative concept for" or "an unconventional approach to" depending on the specific context.

Is it always negative to call something "a crazy idea for"?

Not necessarily. While "crazy" can imply impracticality, it can also suggest boldness and innovation. The tone depends on the context and the speaker's intent. Sometimes, "crazy" can be a compliment, meaning visionary.

What is the difference between "a crazy idea" and "a bad idea"?

"A crazy idea" emphasizes the unconventional nature of the idea, while "a bad idea" suggests that the idea is likely to fail or cause negative consequences. They aren't interchangeable.