a sound proposal

USAGE SUMMARY

'a sound proposal' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a proposal that is well thought out and reasonable. For example: "After carefully considering the data, our team concluded that the manager's sound proposal was the best choice for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It's a sound proposal, but you might not know that listening to some of the arguments against it.

The New York Times

The report urged county officials to come up with a sound proposal by the end of the month.

The New York Times

The report urged county officials to devise a sound proposal by the end of the month or face a state takeover.

The New York Times

* Assemblywoman Sandra Galef, a Democrat from Ossining, has been promoting a sound proposal to improve the redistricting process, which resumes this year.

The New York Times

The National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank, a sound proposal put forward by President-elect Barack Obama, calls for $60 billion over 10 years.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, Congress could help reduce costs for affordable housing units by passing the Affordable Housing and Self Sufficiency Improvement Act, a sound proposal in which core provisions have bipartisan support.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The policies of curbing CO2 emissions have worked poorly on a global scale and an economically sound proposal of bringing electric power to Europe from an Algerian solar hub has just been dismissed.

Energy Conversion and Management

"I think it's a perfectly good, sound proposal and there's nothing undemocratic about it.

BBC

Robert J. Shiller makes a sound economic proposal to reduce unemployment: by increasing taxes over time by the same amount, dollar for dollar, as we increase spending on public goods  ("Taxing and Spending, in Balance," Economic View, July 24).

The New York Times

As a system that is continuously changing, both in the offered applications and in its infrastructure, performance evaluation studies are a main concern to provide sound proposals when designing new web-related systems.

Computer Communications

In a report last October, the council's sound proposals for job-creating public works projects were overshadowed by its unfounded claim that antifraud provisions put in place in 2002 in response to Enron are an impediment to growth and hiring, and should be ended.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a proposal, use "a sound proposal" to emphasize its logical basis and practicality. This indicates that the proposal has been thoroughly considered and is likely to be successful.

Common error

Avoid using "a sound proposal" merely as a positive descriptor without providing specific details or evidence to support its soundness. Always back up the claim with concrete reasons and benefits.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sound proposal" functions as a noun phrase, where 'sound' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'proposal'. It characterizes the proposal, indicating its quality and merit. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase describes a proposal that is well thought out and reasonable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sound proposal" is a noun phrase used to describe a plan or idea that is well-reasoned and practical. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in formal and professional contexts to convey approval and endorse the logical merit of a plan. While less common than simpler phrases, it adds a level of sophistication to discussions and writings. Remember to substantiate the claim of "soundness" with supporting details. It appears frequently in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a well-reasoned plan

Emphasizes the logical and rational basis of the plan.

a solid suggestion

Focuses on the dependability and reliability of the suggestion.

a viable option

Highlights the practicality and feasibility of the option.

a practical approach

Stresses the realistic and pragmatic nature of the approach.

a sensible idea

Underscores the rationality and good judgment behind the idea.

a logical solution

Highlights the clear and coherent reasoning behind the solution.

a constructive recommendation

Emphasizes the helpful and positive nature of the recommendation.

a worthwhile scheme

Focuses on the value and merit of the scheme.

a feasible proposition

Highlights the possibility and attainability of the proposition.

a robust strategy

Focuses on the strength and resilience of the strategy.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a sound proposal" in a sentence?

Use "a sound proposal" when you want to emphasize that an idea is well-reasoned, practical, and likely to succeed. For example: "The committee approved the initiative, recognizing it as "a sound proposal" that would benefit the community".

What are some alternatives to using "a sound proposal"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a well-reasoned plan", "a solid suggestion", or "a viable option". Each highlights a slightly different aspect of the proposal's quality.

Is there a difference between "a sound proposal" and "a good proposal"?

"A sound proposal" implies more than just being "good"; it suggests that the proposal is thoroughly vetted, logically consistent, and based on solid reasoning. "A good proposal" may simply mean it's generally positive or agreeable, without necessarily being rigorously analyzed.

In what situations is it most appropriate to describe something as "a sound proposal"?

It is most appropriate in formal or professional settings, such as business meetings, academic discussions, or policy debates, where the emphasis is on the rationality and practicality of the proposed idea. It may sound overly formal in casual conversation.