ambitious proposition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ambitious proposition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a proposal or idea that is bold, challenging, or requires significant effort to achieve. Example: "The team presented an ambitious proposition to revolutionize the company's approach to sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Increasingly sophisticated technology has made such an ambitious proposition possible.

The Guardian

But Massenet's Manon is an even more ambitious proposition than the Verdi.

The Guardian - Music

nationaltrail.co.uk Offa's Dyke A slightly more ambitious proposition, and a good candidate for weekend expeditions, this is 177 miles down the England/Wales border, allegedly constructed by the eighth-century king of Mercia.

The Guardian - Travel

But apart from such incremental solutions is a far more ambitious proposition by Norman Foster — the British architect whose firm, Foster + Partners, designed the new airports in Beijing and Hong Kong — to replace Heathrow with a new air and rail hub in the Thames River estuary, around 40 miles, or 65 kilometers, to the east of the capital.

The New York Times

But apart from such incremental solutions is a far more ambitious proposition by Norman Foster — the British architect whose firm, Foster + Partners, designed the new airports in Beijing and Hong Kong — to replace Heathrow with a new air and rail hub in the Thames River estuary, about 40 miles to the east of the capital.

The New York Times

In 2007, Wal-Mart announced with great fanfare that along with Bharti, it planned to open "hundreds" of stores, the kind of ambitious proposition that many international companies hatched early in the century as hopes blossomed that India would soon join China as an emerging economic colossus.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But we wonder whether you are fully aware of how ambitious this proposition is.

Biology Direct

COPENHAGEN - Good news in Hopenhagen yesterday was the bold and binding proposal tabled by a group of small island countries in a last minute scrum against the backdrop of youth activists who had turned up to show support for what is deemed the only ambitious and equitable proposition to date.

Huffington Post

In making his way toward the Ravinia commission, he had already created two less ambitious Lincoln works: "Serenade/The Proposition," a nuanced rumination on history that had its premiere at the 2008 American Dance Festival, and "100 Migrations," a community piece seen later that year at the University of Virginia.

The New York Times - Arts

Now he wants to weave those digital lessons into the fabric of the school curriculum — a more ambitious and as yet untested proposition.

The New York Times - Tech

On Nov. 4, California voters will give a thumbs up or a thumbs down on Proposition 2, an ambitious bill that would grant animals like chickens, pigs and cows the opportunity to spread their hooves and claws on the farm, rather than being confined in small cages.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a project or plan, use "ambitious proposition" to convey that it requires significant resources and effort but also has the potential for high rewards. This phrase adds a sense of excitement and challenge to the undertaking.

Common error

Avoid using "ambitious proposition" for ideas that are clearly unrealistic or unachievable. It's important that the proposition, while challenging, has a reasonable chance of success; otherwise, the phrase can sound ironic or dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ambitious proposition" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "ambitious" modifies the noun "proposition". It describes the nature of the proposition, indicating that it is bold, challenging, and requires considerable effort. Ludwig AI indicates that this expression is indeed correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ambitious proposition" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for describing plans or ideas that are bold, challenging, and require significant effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, though more common in News & Media and Scientific domains. Alternatives like "challenging proposal" or "bold suggestion" can be used to subtly shift the emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure the proposition is realistically achievable to avoid undermining its credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging proposal

Substitutes "ambitious" with "challenging", highlighting the difficulty involved in the proposition.

audacious plan

Changes "proposition" to "plan", focusing on the planning aspect while retaining the sense of boldness.

bold suggestion

Replaces "ambitious" with "bold" and "proposition" with "suggestion", softening the tone slightly.

daring scheme

Emphasizes the risk-taking aspect of the proposition by using "daring" and "scheme".

innovative concept

Highlights the novelty and originality of the proposition.

enterprising idea

Focuses on the innovative and resourceful nature of the proposition.

visionary approach

Presents the proposition as forward-thinking and based on a clear vision of the future.

grand design

Elevates the scale and scope of the proposition, suggesting a comprehensive and impressive plan.

overreaching strategy

Implies that the proposition might be too ambitious, potentially exceeding realistic capabilities.

sweeping measure

Indicates that the proposition is broad in scope and intended to have a significant impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "ambitious proposition" to describe a plan or idea that is bold and requires significant effort. For example, "The company presented an "ambitious proposition" to expand into new markets."

What are some alternatives to "ambitious proposition"?

Alternatives to "ambitious proposition" include "bold suggestion", "challenging proposal", or "daring scheme" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "ambitious proposition" formal or informal?

"Ambitious proposition" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication.

What makes a proposition "ambitious"?

A proposition is considered "ambitious" when it aims to achieve significant goals, requires substantial resources or effort, and often involves a degree of risk or innovation. It goes beyond routine or incremental improvements.