a credible proposal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a credible proposal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a suggestion or plan that is believable and trustworthy, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "After reviewing the options, we decided to move forward with a credible proposal that aligns with our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"They felt it was a credible proposal," he said.

The Guardian - Business

But whether any of them will make a credible proposal remains unclear.

The New York Times

But, going into an election year, the President can say that he has presented a credible proposal to create jobs and give the economy a boost.

The New Yorker

Republicans have been more serious about addressing that problem, but neither party has a credible proposal on the table.The other big problem is political.

The Economist

A third investment firm, "Sponsor B" — which people briefed on the matter confirmed was TPG Capital — was the next most likely to make "a credible proposal".

The New York Times

Mr. Obama had made health care reform a cornerstone of his campaign, and wanted to announce a credible proposal quickly after taking office.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Elan added that it would consider any credible proposal by Royalty Pharma or another player.

The New York Times

"The Clorox board of directors remains open to any credible proposal, and believes that Mr. Icahn's latest proposal is highly conditional, substantially undervalues the company and is not credible," the company said in a statement.

The New York Times

The big question at that moment was how to raise £25,000 to pay their architects to develop a thorough, credible proposal.

Vice

That is not a serious and credible proposal, no matter how much the media lazily label Paul Ryan as a serious and sincere deficit hawk.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now the Democratic conferees have made a serious and credible proposal in line with the President's budget request.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a credible proposal" when you want to emphasize that a plan or suggestion is not only believable but also well-supported and likely to succeed. It's suitable for formal reports, business negotiations, or academic discussions where trustworthiness is key.

Common error

Avoid using "a credible proposal" in casual conversations or informal settings where simpler terms like "good idea" or "worth a try" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a credible proposal" functions as a noun phrase, where "credible" modifies the noun "proposal". It describes a specific type of proposal, one that is believable and worthy of consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a credible proposal" is a noun phrase used to describe a plan or suggestion that is both believable and worthy of consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is frequently used in neutral to professional contexts, such as news reports and business discussions, to convey confidence and trustworthiness. While interchangeable with alternatives like "believable proposition" or "plausible plan", it’s best to avoid it in very informal conversations where simpler terms are more appropriate. The phrase's strength lies in its ability to inspire confidence in the soundness and feasibility of a suggested course of action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a believable proposition

Replaces "credible" with "believable", focusing on the capacity to be believed.

a plausible plan

Substitutes "proposal" with "plan" and "credible" with "plausible", suggesting the idea is reasonable and likely.

a convincing offer

Replaces "proposal" with "offer" and "credible" with "convincing", highlighting the persuasiveness of the suggestion.

a sound suggestion

Uses "sound" to convey the idea of being well-reasoned and reliable instead of "credible".

a reliable scheme

Replaces "proposal" with "scheme" and "credible" with "reliable", emphasizing the dependability of the plan.

a trustworthy recommendation

Substitutes "proposal" with "recommendation" and "credible" with "trustworthy", highlighting the reliability of the advice.

a valid submission

Replaces "credible" with "valid" and "proposal" with "submission", focusing on the legitimacy of the entry.

a defensible proposition

Uses "defensible" to indicate the idea can be justified or supported.

a well-founded suggestion

Emphasizes that the suggestion has a solid basis or foundation.

a tenable approach

Replaces "proposal" with "approach" and "credible" with "tenable", suggesting the idea is maintainable or justifiable.

FAQs

How can I use "a credible proposal" in a sentence?

You can use "a credible proposal" to describe a plan or suggestion that is believable and worthy of consideration. For example: "The board found the presented plan to be a "credible proposal" and approved it immediately."

What are some alternatives to "a credible proposal"?

Alternatives include "a believable proposition", "a plausible plan", or "a convincing offer". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey. For example, a "believable proposition" might be used when focusing on whether something is easy to believe, while a "convincing offer" might be used in a negotiation.

Is it better to say "a credible proposal" or "a believable proposal"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a credible proposal" often suggests that the plan is not only believable but also well-supported and likely to succeed. "A "believable proposal"" simply means that the proposal is capable of being believed.

What makes "a credible proposal" different from just "a proposal"?

Adding the adjective "credible" emphasizes that the proposal is not just any suggestion, but one that has been carefully considered and is likely to be accepted due to its soundness and believability. Without "credible", the term "a proposal" is a general term for a suggestion.