are you proposing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are you proposing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone if they are suggesting or putting forward an idea, plan, or proposal. Example: "Are you proposing a new strategy for the project during the meeting?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

MOD: What are you proposing?

The New York Times

What are you proposing?

The Guardian

What solutions are you proposing?

The New York Times - Health

"What exactly are you proposing?" I asked.

The New Yorker

KOUM: (bats his eyelashes) Why, whatever are you proposing, Mr. Zuckerberg?

The New Yorker

So are you proposing that people embrace the values of a previous era?

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I want to know particularly what the good chance is you propose to give me.

The Guardian

Were you proposed to or did the proposing mid-air?

Huffington Post

This has given rise to concerns that the safeguards you are proposing are not as strong as it appeared when they were presented to the Commons".

The Guardian

"You must convince me that the vision that I'm not seeing, that you have, that you're proposing, is better than Constellation".

The New York Times - Science

A critical point to consider is whether the idea you're proposing is easily differentiated from the work included in your existing grants.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are you proposing", ensure the context makes it clear whether you're asking about a formal proposal or a general suggestion. If formality is key, clarify with additional context.

Common error

Avoid using "are you proposing" in extremely informal settings where simpler alternatives like "what are you suggesting" or "what's your idea" would be more appropriate. Use this phrase when you want to know if someone is suggesting a more structured or thought-out solution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are you proposing" functions primarily as an interrogative clause. It is used to inquire whether someone is putting forward a specific idea, plan, or suggestion for consideration. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

12%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are you proposing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used interrogative used to seek clarification of someone's suggestions, ideas or intentions. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, science and wiki contexts. While the phrase is correct and widely usable, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is crucial to consider the level of formality of the conversation as simpler alternatives such as "what are you suggesting" may be more appropriate in some contexts. Related phrases like "what are you suggesting" or "what is your suggestion" offer similar but nuanced ways to understand someone's intentions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what are you suggesting

Focuses more on the idea or suggestion being offered, rather than the formal act of proposing.

are you putting forward

Asks if someone is formally introducing an idea.

what is your suggestion

More direct and concise, asking for a specific suggestion.

what is your intention

Inquires directly about someone's purpose or goal.

what are you recommending

Implies seeking advice or a course of action that the person favors.

what are your intentions

Focuses on future course of action.

what is your plan

Directly asks about the person's intended course of action.

what do you intend to do

Focuses on the person's intentions, often implying a future action.

what course of action are you advocating

More formal, implying support for a particular strategy or approach.

what solution are you putting forward

Focuses on problem-solving and offering a specific remedy.

FAQs

What's the difference between "are you proposing" and "are you suggesting"?

"Are you proposing" implies a more formal suggestion or plan, whereas "are you suggesting" is more general and can refer to any idea or hint.

When is it appropriate to use "are you proposing"?

Use "are you proposing" when you want to know if someone is putting forward a structured plan, idea, or solution, especially in professional, academic, or formal contexts.

How can I rephrase "are you proposing" to sound more informal?

You can use phrases like "what are you suggesting?", "what's your idea?", or "what do you have in mind?" for a more casual tone.

Can "are you proposing" be used in romantic contexts?

While grammatically correct, using "are you proposing" in a romantic context might sound overly formal. A better option could be "are you asking me to marry you?" or a similar, more emotive phrasing.