formulating an idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formulating an idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of developing or creating a concept or thought. Example: "In our brainstorming session, we focused on formulating an idea that would address the community's needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

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

The New York Times

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Enhance your writing by using synonyms like "developing a concept" or "crafting a thought" for variety and to subtly shift the focus.

Common error

Avoid using "formulating an idea" in very casual settings, as it can sound overly formal. Instead, opt for more relaxed alternatives like "coming up with something" or "thinking of a plan".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formulating an idea" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, describing the action of creating or developing a concept. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formulating an idea" is a grammatically sound phrase that effectively describes the process of creating or developing a concept. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's most appropriate for formal contexts, such as academic papers, news articles, and business reports. While it's perfectly acceptable to use this phrase, writers should be mindful of the setting and consider more casual alternatives like "coming up with an idea" for informal situations. The phrase finds primary usage in News & Media and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developing a concept

Focuses on the development aspect, implying a more gradual process.

crafting a thought

Emphasizes the careful and deliberate nature of the idea creation.

conceiving an idea

Highlights the initial stage of idea creation, similar to giving birth to a thought.

devising a plan

Implies a more structured and actionable approach to idea generation.

generating a concept

Focuses on the act of producing or bringing the concept into existence.

outlining a thought

Suggests creating a structured framework for the idea.

fashioning a notion

Emphasizes the creative process of shaping an idea.

shaping an opinion

Suggests forming a belief or judgment.

building a framework

Focuses on the structural aspect of forming the idea, akin to constructing a base.

establishing a vision

Highlights creating a clear mental picture of a future state.

FAQs

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

You can use "formulating an idea" when discussing the initial stages of planning or conceptualizing something. For example, "The team is currently formulating an idea for the new marketing campaign."

What are some alternatives to "formulating an idea"?

You can use alternatives such as "developing a concept", "crafting a thought", or "conceiving an idea" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "formulating an idea" formal or informal?

"Formulating an idea" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, consider using phrases like "coming up with an idea" or "thinking something up".

What's the difference between "formulating an idea" and "developing an idea"?

"Formulating an idea" often refers to the initial stage of creating a concept, whereas "developing an idea" implies a more extended process of refinement and expansion.