generate ideas

USAGE SUMMARY

"generate ideas" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used with a verb like "help", "encourage", "inspire", etc. For example, "I am looking for ways to generate new ideas for our marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Tapping the general population to generate ideas, gather information, and solve sticky problems is not a new concept.

The Guardian

We want to see what ideas generate ideas".

The New York Times

What London does best, she feels, is generate ideas.

The Guardian - Arts

The best way is to generate ideas and then wait.

The New Yorker

And it reveals something about how artists generate ideas.

The New York Times - Arts

Derrick Daye shares seven ways to generate ideas from customers.

The New York Times

Many of the students use the workshops to generate ideas for presenting safety issues.

The New York Times

To generate ideas, she sat in on rehearsals, taking Polaroid pictures of each dancer.

The New York Times - Arts

They might also generate ideas for some unconventional, creative or informal economic indicators.

The New York Times

Being willing to generate ideas as well as generate criticism of what they were doing.

The New York Times

Pixar starts by bringing in creative people and then encourages them to generate ideas.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "generate ideas" with specific methods (e.g., brainstorming) or contexts (e.g., marketing campaigns) for clarity.

Common error

While "generate ideas" is widely acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal documents. Consider using more sophisticated synonyms like "formulate concepts" or "develop strategies" to add nuance and variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generate ideas" functions as a verb phrase, where "generate" is a transitive verb and "ideas" is its direct object. It describes the action of creating or producing new concepts or thoughts. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "generate ideas" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase across diverse contexts, primarily in news, scientific, and business domains. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and suitable for various writing purposes. While versatile, writers should consider more nuanced synonyms like "develop ideas" or "formulate concepts" for enhanced formality. The phrase commonly describes the active process of producing new concepts or solutions and is essential for discussions around innovation and problem-solving. Therefore, the phrase "generate ideas" it's perfectly suitable for many situations in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop ideas

Focuses on the progressive growth and refinement of ideas rather than the initial creation.

create concepts

Emphasizes the formation of abstract notions or concepts.

brainstorm concepts

Highlights the collaborative effort in producing various concepts.

formulate ideas

Implies a more structured and deliberate process of creating ideas.

conceive ideas

Suggests a mental process of imagining or inventing ideas.

innovate thoughts

Focuses on creating new and original thoughts.

imagine solutions

Relates to creating new solution.

devise strategies

Focuses on creation of a plan of action.

spark creativity

Emphasizes the process of triggering imaginative skills.

foster innovation

Promotes the process of implementing new methods or ideas.

FAQs

How can I use "generate ideas" in a sentence?

You can use "generate ideas" to describe the process of creating new concepts, such as: "The workshop helped us "generate ideas" for improving customer service."

What are some synonyms for "generate ideas"?

Alternatives include "develop ideas", "create concepts", or "formulate ideas", depending on the context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "generating ideas" instead of "generate ideas"?

Yes, "generating ideas" is the gerund form and is correct when used as a noun. For example, "Generating ideas is crucial for innovation."

What is the difference between "generate ideas" and "brainstorm ideas"?

"Generate ideas" is a broader term for creating new concepts, while "brainstorm ideas" refers specifically to a group activity where participants spontaneously "generate ideas" together.