an official proposal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an official proposal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a formal suggestion or plan that is presented for consideration or approval, often in a business or organizational context. Example: "The committee reviewed an official proposal for the new project during their meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

There isn't an official proposal either, that's not true".

Independent

Mr. Ryoo stopped short of calling his statement an official proposal for dialogue.

The New York Times

"There has not been enough support by players or tournaments to put forth an official proposal," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

But the office of President Lee insisted on Tuesday that there had been no discussion about an official proposal.

The New York Times

On March 22, he said, Seoul made an official proposal for a summit meeting between the leaders of the two Koreas.

The New York Times

Some community leaders say they plan to submit an official proposal to the city to obtain the property and allow the Milford Historical Society to oversee its use as an historic center.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"(Fenerbahce) were the only team who sent an official (transfer) proposal but it's already decided that I'm not going," he told the Brazilian sports website globoesporte.com.com

Independent

Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said earlier on Tuesday that the Islamist group had not received an official ceasefire proposal, and he repeated its position that demands it has made must be met before it lays down its weapons.

Huffington Post

The Swiss government had urged citizens to reject the initiative in favor of an official counter-proposal, which would have considered the seriousness of a foreigner's crime in deciding on expulsion.

Huffington Post

The race to stage the 2018 Winter Olympics began in earnest when the bid cities Munich, South Korea's Pyeongchang and France's Annecy made their first official proposals at a meeting of Olympic associations in Acapulco, Mexico.

The New York Times - Sports

Today the space-faring organization issued an official "request for proposal" from four partners on how they would go about creating the robotic spacecraft that would perform the actual asteroid redirection in question.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When drafting formal documents, use "an official proposal" to clearly indicate that the suggestion or plan has been formally presented and sanctioned.

Common error

Avoid using "an official proposal" when referring to preliminary discussions or informal suggestions. This phrase should be reserved for formally documented and presented plans.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an official proposal" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a formally presented suggestion or plan, ready for consideration and action. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an official proposal" is a noun phrase denoting a formally presented plan or suggestion. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in diverse contexts, primarily in news media, science, and formal business settings. Its use indicates a structured plan that has been formally presented and is ready for consideration. While alternatives like "a formal proposition" or "a sanctioned plan" exist, "an official proposal" clearly conveys the idea of a formally presented and potentially approved plan. Remember to reserve this phrase for documented suggestions, and avoid using it in informal discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a formal proposition

Replaces "proposal" with "proposition", emphasizing the structured and serious nature of the suggestion.

a sanctioned plan

Uses "sanctioned plan" to highlight that the proposal has been approved or authorized.

a documented submission

Focuses on the written and presented aspect of the proposal.

a codified recommendation

Implies a more structured and formalized suggestion.

a stated intention

Indicates a declared aim or purpose that is formally presented.

a written submission

Highlights that the proposal exists in written form.

a presented scheme

Uses "scheme" as a synonym for proposal, suggesting a detailed plan.

a submitted application

Focuses on the act of formally presenting a request or plan.

a formal tender

Uses "tender" to indicate a formal offer, particularly in business contexts.

a detailed prospectus

Implies a comprehensive document outlining the proposal in great detail.

FAQs

How can I use "an official proposal" in a sentence?

You can use "an official proposal" to describe a formal suggestion or plan that has been presented for consideration. For example, "The committee is reviewing "an official proposal" for the new marketing campaign".

What are some alternatives to "an official proposal"?

Alternatives include "a formal proposition", "a sanctioned plan", or "a documented submission" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "an official proposal" in informal contexts?

No, "an official proposal" is best suited for formal or professional settings where a structured plan is being presented. In informal settings, simpler phrases like "a suggestion" or "an idea" may be more appropriate.

What distinguishes "an official proposal" from a regular proposal?

"An official proposal" implies that the suggestion or plan has been formally recognized and possibly sanctioned by an authority. A regular proposal might simply be an idea that has not yet been formally presented or approved.