devise an idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "devise an idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to ask someone to think of and create a concept. For example: "Let's devise an idea to market our new product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Two young entrepreneurs devise an idea for the next big e-commerce Web site, raise enormous sums of cash, spend lavishly on advertising, lose money on every sale, take the company public and make every employee a billionaire.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Two developers, Kevin Rafferty and Robert Coltrin, had devised an idea for a new California Adventure ride that would juxtapose the old-fashioned romance of a carnival midway with high-tech video game elements.

The New York Times

The class was asked to devise a business idea and write a business plan.

The Guardian

Advertising was a straightforward business: agencies had to devise a good idea for an ad and then choose the right publication or broadcast slot in order to catch consumers' attention.

The Economist

A learner may devise a good idea through evaluating such an example and find how to improve the example.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

A good researcher would begin with an idea, devise a method to test the idea, run the study as planned, and then decide based on the evidence whether the idea had been supported.

The Guardian

Which is why Messrs Bertarelli and Ellison have devised a new idea: to make the America's Cup more like Formula One televisually the world's biggest and richest sport.They envisage a series of qualifying regattas, leading up to the finals, either annually or every two years.

The Economist

Initially devised from an idea by the actor Joanna Lumley and designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the bridge was meant to be a tree- and plant-filled oasis across the river from Temple to the South Bank.

The Guardian

The core idea is to devise an efficient graph serialization procedure, such that two isomorphic graphs can be reduced to an identical string.

Bioinformatics

The next morning Augugliaro told Del Grande that his idea to devise a wedding procession destined for Sweden was not only brilliant but would make for an excellent documentary.

Vice

The next morning, Augugliaro told Del Grande that his idea to devise a wedding procession destined for Sweden was not only brilliant but would make for an excellent documentary.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devise an idea", ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose or problem the idea aims to address. This provides clarity and relevance to the concept being developed.

Common error

Avoid making the "devised idea" unnecessarily complex. Simplicity often leads to better implementation and understanding. Focus on core elements first, and add complexity only when necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devise an idea" functions as a verbal phrase that signifies the act of creating or formulating a new concept or plan. It is used to express the process of generating an original thought or approach. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devise an idea" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that signifies the act of creating or formulating a new concept. Ludwig AI validates its suitability across diverse contexts. While alternatives like "formulate a concept" or "develop a notion" exist, they carry slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, clarity and simplicity are key. This phrase sees common application in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, indicating its broad applicability. Remember to use this phrase to encourage innovation and inventive thinking!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formulate a concept

Replaces "devise" with a more formal synonym "formulate".

develop a notion

Substitutes "idea" with "notion", implying a preliminary or less defined concept.

create a plan

Focuses on the practical aspect of idea generation, suggesting a structured approach.

generate a thought

Uses "generate" as a synonym for "devise", emphasizing the mental process.

conceive a scheme

Replaces both words with synonyms that suggest strategy and planning.

invent a solution

Shifts the focus to problem-solving, implying that the idea is intended to address a specific issue.

contrive a method

Uses "contrive" to suggest resourcefulness or ingenuity in creating the idea.

originate a design

Implies a focus on visual or structural elements of the idea.

think up a suggestion

Offers a more informal alternative, suitable for casual contexts.

brainstorm an approach

Highlights the collaborative aspect of idea generation.

FAQs

How can I use "devise an idea" in a sentence?

You can use "devise an idea" to describe the process of creating or formulating a plan or concept. For example, "The team needs to devise an idea to improve customer satisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "devise an idea"?

Alternatives include "formulate a concept", "develop a notion", or "create a plan", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "devise an idea" or "develop an idea"?

Both phrases are correct, but "devise an idea" suggests originating a completely new concept, while "develop an idea" implies expanding or improving an existing one.

What's the difference between "devise an idea" and "invent a solution"?

"Devise an idea" refers to the general process of creating a concept, whereas "invent a solution" specifically implies creating something to solve a particular problem.