a proposal to extend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a proposal to extend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting an idea or plan to prolong or increase something, such as a deadline, contract, or project duration. Example: "The committee submitted a proposal to extend the deadline for the project by two weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A proposal to extend the state of emergency was to be submitted to Parliament on Monday.

The New York Times

A proposal to extend trade controls to red and pink corals was also voted down.

The New York Times - Science

475, a proposal to extend the city's anti-discrimination law to cover "sexual orientation".

The New Yorker

The general managers also rejected a proposal to extend overtime with four additional minutes of three-on-three play.

The New York Times - Sports

From the analysis of different subsets of experiments follows a proposal to extend the Eurocode shear provisions for the case of slabs under concentrated loads.

Engineering Structures

Democrats countered with a proposal to extend expiring Bush-era tax cuts up to $360,000 for individuals and $450,000 for couples.

The New York Times

A proposal to extend the Shanghai line 200 km (120 miles) to Hangzhou failed in the face of competition from traditional high-speed technology.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Another point of tension between the mayor's office and the agency is a proposal to extend parking meter hours to evenings and Sundays.

The New York Times

Among them is the world's largest company by market capitalization, Exxon Mobil, whose shareholders last year overwhelmingly defeated a proposal to extend employee benefits to same-sex partners.

The New York Times

But he acknowledged the government would have to tread carefully on a proposal to extend Commonwealth grant scheme funding to non-university education providers such as private colleges.

The Guardian

"Sticking points are understood to include a proposal to extend directly elected mayors, as well as plans to end 'council houses for life'," Waugh writes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formal documents, ensure the term "a proposal to extend" is followed by a clear explanation of the reasons and benefits of the extension. Provide supporting data or evidence to strengthen the proposal.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a proposal to extend" without clearly outlining the specific rationale. For example, simply stating 'We need more time' is less effective than 'Extending the deadline will allow for thorough testing and refinement, resulting in a more robust final product'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a proposal to extend" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a suggested action. It identifies an intent or formal suggestion aimed at prolonging or expanding the duration, scope, or terms of something, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a proposal to extend" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a formal suggestion aimed at prolonging something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase with a neutral to formal register, frequently appearing in news, science, and business contexts. The phrase is best used with a clear justification for the extension. Alternatives include "a suggestion for extending" and "a plan to prolong". Overall, it is a valuable phrase for conveying intentions to prolong something across diverse professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a suggestion for extending

Replaces "proposal" with "suggestion", implying a less formal offering.

a plan to prolong

Substitutes "extend" with "prolong", emphasizing the act of lengthening something.

a motion to lengthen

Uses "motion" instead of "proposal", often used in formal meetings, and "lengthen" as a synonym.

an initiative to broaden

Replaces the term proposal for initiative and uses a synonymous like broadening.

a recommendation to continue

Focuses on the continuation aspect, suggesting ongoing action rather than simple extension.

a scheme to augment

Employs "scheme" for "proposal" and "augment" to imply an increase rather than just a lengthening.

an offer to expand

Uses “offer” instead of “proposal” and focuses more on the expansion rather than the extension.

a request for prolongation

Phrase changes to request, indicating a formal asking rather than a suggestion. In addition to that, it substitutes “extend” with the noun form “prolongation”.

a measure to protract

Uses “measure” instead of “proposal” and “protract” as a formal alternative to “extend”.

a strategy for expansion

Swaps “proposal” for “strategy”, focusing on a planned method, and uses expansion as an alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "a proposal to extend" in a sentence?

You can use "a proposal to extend" to introduce a suggestion for prolonging something, such as "The committee is considering "a proposal to extend" the project deadline by one week".

What are some alternatives to "a proposal to extend"?

Alternatives include "a suggestion for extending", "a plan to prolong", or "a motion to lengthen", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a proposal for extension" or "a proposal to extend"?

"A proposal to extend" is generally more common and direct. "A proposal for extension" is also correct, but can sound slightly more formal or bureaucratic. Both are acceptable, but the former is preferred.

What's the difference between "a proposal to extend" and "a plan to extend"?

While similar, "a proposal" implies a formal suggestion that needs approval, whereas "a plan to extend" suggests a developed strategy that may or may not require external approval, depending on context.