asked for a proposal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asked for a proposal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a request made for a formal suggestion or plan, often in a business or project context. Example: "During the meeting, she asked for a proposal outlining the project's budget and timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

And he asked for a proposal of how to safeguard the privacy of sensitive information, such as students' applications and the university's candid evaluations.

The Washington Post

He added that the city had asked for a proposal for a mixed-income development — "and that is exactly what this plan delivers".

The New York Times

After six months of not having his phone calls returned, he said, he just went to the museum, which asked for a proposal.

The New York Times

Ms. McLaughlin met a publisher at a Christmas party in 1999 who loved the idea of a nanny novel and asked for a proposal.

The New York Times

The board has also asked the department to develop a plan for centralizing statewide scoring of the multiple choice questions that would include erasure and error pattern analysis, and it has asked for a proposal to bar teachers from proctoring exams for their own students.

The New York Times

Government officials had suggested the project and asked for a proposal from Enron but kept changing the terms.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Yahoo and Time Warner had an earlier round of discussions, but talks intensified recently after Yahoo went back to Time Warner to ask for a proposal that it could take to Yahoo directors.

TechCrunch

The classic sales funnel breakdown suggests that if you meet ten people, seven of them might have a conversation with you, three might ask for a proposal, and, eventually, one of them comes out as a sale.

Forbes

You couldn't ask for a proposal backdrop more jaw-dropping than this.

Huffington Post

4. Be Ethical: If you are contacting us only to get some useful thought starters about your event or initiative and already know you will not be engaging our services, there's really no need to ask for a proposal.

Huffington Post

I was asked for a royalty proposal.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "asked for a proposal", ensure the context implies a formal request. For less formal situations, consider alternatives like "requested suggestions".

Common error

Avoid using "asked for a proposal" in informal scenarios; it may sound overly bureaucratic. Choose simpler alternatives such as "asked for ideas" or "wanted to hear their thoughts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asked for a proposal" functions as a verbal phrase, where 'asked' is the verb indicating the action of requesting, and 'for a proposal' is the object, specifying what is being requested. Ludwig shows that this phrase is commonly used in contexts where a formal plan or suggestion is needed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "asked for a proposal" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to formally request a detailed plan or offer. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for professional and business settings, with its usage concentrated in News & Media. When considering this phrase, it's important to maintain a formal tone and avoid using it in informal contexts where simpler alternatives may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put out a request for proposals

Highlights the public availability of the request.

requested a bid

Replaces 'proposal' with 'bid', suggesting a more formal or competitive request.

commissioned a project outline

Suggests that the proposal is for a defined project.

initiated a request for quote

This variation indicates the start of a process to receive cost estimates.

solicited an offer

Uses 'solicited' for a more proactive sense of seeking an offer.

required a detailed plan

Emphasizes the necessity and depth of the plan being requested.

invited a submission

Emphasizes the act of inviting someone to submit their ideas or plans.

sought a plan

Focuses on the need for a structured plan, rather than a formal proposal.

called for suggestions

A more general request, implying less formality than a proposal.

expressed interest in a presentation of ideas

Indicates an openness to hearing ideas in a structured format.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "asked for a proposal"?

The phrase "asked for a proposal" means requesting a detailed plan or suggestion, usually in a professional or business context. It implies a formal invitation to submit a project plan, business offer, or solution.

How to use "asked for a proposal" in a sentence?

You can use "asked for a proposal" in sentences like: "The company "asked for a proposal" from several construction firms for the new building project" or "The client "asked for a proposal" detailing our marketing strategy".

What can I say instead of "asked for a proposal"?

You can use alternatives like "requested a bid", "solicited an offer", or "invited a submission" depending on the context.

Is "asked for a proposal" formal or informal?

The phrase "asked for a proposal" is generally considered formal. In more casual settings, it's better to use phrases like "requested suggestions" or "wanted to hear their thoughts".