a proposition about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a proposition about' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase could be used in a variety of contexts, such as when a speaker is proposing a plan or solution to a problem. For example, "I have a proposition about how to improve our sales process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Meanwhile, a proposition about intersection of displacement subsets of multi-loop paths can be obtained.

Mechanism and Machine Theory

In the context of this ideology, a proposition about God is no different from a proposition about a chemical reaction or a political policy: in each instance, the proper and obligatory response is "show me" or "prove it".

The New York Times

If you want to test a proposition about, say, the relationship between democracy and free trade, you can't just set up a bunch of countries to experiment with.

The Washington Post

In 1903, the year of Spencer's death, the moral philosopher G. E. Moore identified what he called "the naturalistic fallacy" — the logical impossibility of inferring that something is good from a proposition about its natural properties.

The New Yorker

They specify a proposition about the world, which either has truth value or has conditions under which it would be true; and they also specify some relationship between the person and the proposition.

University of California, Berkeley

The format is simple: each thesis is a proposition about the tech world and the ecosystem it has spawned, followed by a brief discussion and recommendations for further reading.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

They come to Mrs. Donaldson with a proposition: how about, in place of the money, they let her watch them have sex?

The New Yorker

Prior's idea is that a sentence φ that expresses a singular proposition about a contingent individual a is not even statable — hence neither true nor false — in worlds in which a doesn't exist.

SEP

If we get under certain circumstances the impression that one and the same proposition can sometimes be true and sometimes be false, this is merely due to the fact that we do not talk about a proposition but about an ambiguous linguistic chain of words that expresses two or even more propositions, some of which can be true and others false (WL II, 7).

SEP

Strawson (1950) argued that pace Russell, a speaker could use an instance of 'The F is G' to express a singular proposition about a specific individual: namely, the F in the context at hand.

SEP

Donnellan (1966) went on to argue that a speaker could even use an instance of 'The F is G' to express a singular proposition about an individual that isn't an F; see the entry on reference.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a proposition about", ensure the proposition is clearly defined and the context is easily understandable to the reader.

Common error

Avoid making the proposition too broad. Instead of saying "a proposition about life", be specific: "a proposition about the meaning of life" or "a proposition about the role of AI in modern life".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a proposition about" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a statement or theory related to a specific subject. This usage aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment, which indicates the phrase is correct and suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a proposition about" serves as a versatile phrase for introducing a statement or theory on a specific topic. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While it’s a good idea to avoid overly broad propositions, using the phrase effectively can clearly set the stage for further discussion or analysis. The examples show its usage in varied domains, reinforcing its reliability and relevance. Consider alternatives like "a proposal regarding" or "an idea concerning" to tailor your writing to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a proposal regarding

Replaces 'proposition' with 'proposal' and 'about' with 'regarding', altering the specific wording while maintaining the overall meaning.

an idea concerning

Substitutes 'proposition' with 'idea' and 'about' with 'concerning', resulting in a more informal expression.

a hypothesis relating to

Replaces 'proposition' with 'hypothesis' and 'about' with 'relating to', making it more suitable for scientific contexts.

a thesis on

Substitutes 'proposition about' with 'thesis on', typically used in academic or scholarly contexts.

a theory regarding

Replaces 'proposition' with 'theory' and 'about' with 'regarding', suggesting a more developed or tested idea.

a statement concerning

Replaces 'proposition' with 'statement' and 'about' with 'concerning', presenting it as a declaration or assertion.

an assertion regarding

Uses 'assertion' instead of 'proposition' and 'regarding' in place of 'about', indicating a confident and forceful statement.

an argument about

Replaces 'proposition' with 'argument', implying a reasoned and supported claim.

a concept relating to

Substitutes 'proposition' with 'concept' and 'about' with 'relating to', framing it as an abstract idea or general notion.

a view on

Replaces 'proposition' with 'view' and 'about' with 'on', presenting it as a personal opinion or perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "a proposition about" in a sentence?

You can use "a proposition about" to introduce a statement, theory, or suggestion concerning a particular topic. For example, "He presented "a proposition about" the effects of climate change."

What are some alternatives to "a proposition about"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a proposal regarding", "an idea concerning", or "a hypothesis relating to", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a proposition about" or "a proposition on"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "a proposition about" is generally more common and versatile. "A proposition on" is often used in more formal or academic contexts.

What does "a proposition about" imply in academic writing?

In academic writing, "a proposition about" suggests a formal statement or theory that is being presented for consideration, analysis, or debate. It often indicates a key point or argument within a larger piece of work.