a wise idea

USAGE SUMMARY

"a wise idea" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something is a smart, prudent, or sensible thought. For example, "It was a wise idea to save a rainy day fund in case of emergency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not a wise idea.

The New York Times - Arts

But it's not a wise idea.

The New York Times - Travel

It's not a wise idea.

The Guardian - Sport

If you are playing online poker, that is probably a wise idea.

The Economist

"A sense of plan for those being photographed is a wise idea," he said.

The New York Times

So before the first open house, it is often a wise idea to renovate.

The New York Times

"It's a wise idea because you get more information from the portfolio," he said.

The New York Times

I don't think it's a wise idea to throw in the towel".

The New York Times

According to Amey, starting Christmas day with breakfast is a wise idea.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At times like these, it is a wise idea to think about what the terrorists want, and do the opposite.

Independent

The city's many churches, synagogues and mosques have been told that hiring private security guards would be a wise idea.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering advice, use "a wise idea" to preface suggestions, indicating that the advice is based on sound judgment and experience. For example: "Offering flexible working hours is "a wise idea" to improve employee morale."

Common error

While "a wise idea" is a useful phrase, avoid using it repetitively in a single piece of writing. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "smart approach" or "sensible plan" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wise idea" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "wise" modifies the noun "idea". It is used to characterize a particular thought, suggestion, or plan as prudent, sensible, and based on good judgment. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is valid and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wise idea" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase employed to describe suggestions, plans, or actions that demonstrate sound judgment and prudence. Ludwig AI affirms the phrase's validity, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While versatile, it's important to consider context and audience, and avoid overuse by incorporating synonyms such as "a smart idea" or "a sensible approach". The phrase finds frequent use in news media and wiki-based content and should be use when you want to signal others that a specific idea has behind solid foundations and is likely to work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a smart idea

Replaces "wise" with "smart", suggesting intelligence and quick-thinking.

a sensible idea

Substitutes "wise" with "sensible", highlighting practicality and sound reasoning.

a prudent approach

Replaces "idea" with "approach", focusing on a method or strategy that demonstrates careful consideration.

a thoughtful suggestion

Changes "idea" to "suggestion" and "wise" to "thoughtful", emphasizing consideration for others.

a clever plan

Replaces "idea" with "plan" and "wise" with "clever", indicating ingenuity and resourcefulness.

a judicious decision

Substitutes "idea" with "decision" and "wise" with "judicious", focusing on careful and well-considered judgment.

a sagacious proposal

Replaces "wise" with "sagacious" and "idea" with "proposal", indicating deep wisdom and insight in the suggestion.

a strategic move

Replaces "idea" with "move" and "wise" with "strategic", emphasizing a planned action to achieve a goal.

a well-considered thought

Changes "idea" to "thought" and adds "well-considered", emphasizing careful and thorough contemplation.

a brilliant concept

Replaces "wise" with "brilliant" and "idea" with "concept", highlighting exceptional intelligence and creativity.

FAQs

How can I use "a wise idea" in a sentence?

You can use "a wise idea" to introduce a suggestion or course of action that demonstrates good judgment. For example, "Investing in renewable energy is "a wise idea" for a sustainable future."

What are some alternatives to "a wise idea"?

Alternatives to "a wise idea" include "a smart idea", "a sensible approach", or "a prudent decision", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a wise idea" or "a smart idea"?

Both "a wise idea" and "a smart idea" are valid and commonly used. "Wise" suggests experience and good judgment, while "smart" implies intelligence and quick thinking. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When should I use "a wise idea" instead of "a good idea"?

Use "a wise idea" when you want to emphasize the prudence, experience, and sound judgment behind the idea. "A good idea" is more general, simply suggesting that the idea is beneficial or effective, but not necessarily demonstrating insight.