formulated an idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formulated an idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the process of creating or developing a concept or thought. Example: "After several brainstorming sessions, the team finally formulated an idea that could revolutionize our marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The two originally formulated an idea while spending time together on the set of The Office: "What if Jan came into the office and did a 'Women in the Workplace' seminar, and Michael got all jealous?" They presented their idea to executive producer Greg Daniels, who liked the idea.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

So Mr. Miller began formulating an idea for a tax filing software system that won him a patent last month.

The New York Times

But if you're still formulating an idea an hour or so before deadline, don't bother.

The Guardian

Ever since he first visited London as a California teenager, he had been formulating an idea of this life and buying things that might belong in it.

The New York Times - Travel

Short of giving up on democracy, this means formulating an idea – as mutually agreed as your trading bloc is wide – of what fair distribution looks like, which cannot be done without an idea of equality at its foundation.

The Guardian - Opinion

By mid-week, at an event in Atlanta, where Trump was introduced as "the man who is going to save America," he had managed to formulate an idea of foreignness that was indifferent to citizenship.

The New Yorker

In most cases, there are already scientific contacts between the researcher and the host, and they jointly formulate an idea for a research project.

Science Magazine

They could then be viewed and analysed in greater depth to formulate an idea of the web-based focus of the institution and where the institutional priority lay.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

In order to fix this problem, "the most important thing today is for young people to take responsibility, to actually know how to formulate an idea and how to work on it.

Science Magazine

For example, I want to talk and share with anyone who will listen and I often just blurt things out as a way to process what's happening and formulate an idea.

Huffington Post

Aghast at the injustice, eaten up by his helplessness to do anything for his wife - other than visit regularly with their increasingly remote son - John begins to formulate an idea.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "formulated an idea" when you want to emphasize the structured or deliberate process of developing a concept, rather than just having a fleeting thought.

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions like "an idea was formulated" when an active voice construction such as "the team formulated an idea" would be more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formulated an idea" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object. The verb "formulated" indicates the action of creating or developing an idea, while "an idea" serves as the object of that action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "formulated an idea" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, to describe the process of developing a concept or plan. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While the phrase is appropriate for neutral and professional settings, more specific alternatives like "developed a concept" or "devised a plan" may be preferred for increased precision. It's advisable to maintain an active voice when using this phrase to enhance clarity and engagement in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developed a concept

Emphasizes the process of expanding and refining a basic notion.

conceived a notion

Highlights the initial creation of an idea in the mind.

devised a plan

Focuses on creating a structured approach or strategy.

came up with an idea

Indicates the sudden appearance or generation of an idea.

generated a thought

Highlights the mental process of producing a new thought.

created a concept

Stresses the act of bringing a new concept into existence.

originated an idea

Focuses on the starting point or source of the idea.

crafted a notion

Implies careful and skillful development of an idea.

hatched a plan

Suggests a secretive or clever way of developing a plan.

contrived a thought

Indicates a resourceful, possibly artificial, creation of a thought.

FAQs

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

You can use "formulated an idea" to describe the process of developing a concept or plan. For example: "After much deliberation, the committee "formulated an idea" to address the budget shortfall."

What are some alternatives to "formulated an idea"?

Alternatives include "developed a concept", "conceived a notion", or "devised a plan" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "formulated an idea" or "had an idea"?

"Formulated an idea" suggests a more deliberate and structured process of development, while "had an idea" implies a more spontaneous occurrence. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "formulated an idea" and "came up with an idea"?

"Formulated an idea" often indicates a more methodical and planned approach, whereas "came up with an idea" suggests a more sudden or impromptu inspiration.