he was proposing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was proposing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is suggesting an idea, plan, or action, often in a formal or serious context. Example: "During the meeting, he was proposing a new strategy to improve sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Now he was proposing an increase in editorial spending.

The New Yorker

But make no mistake: that is what he was proposing.

The New Yorker

A lot of what he was proposing originated from Republicans.

The New Yorker

He did not, however, disclose how long the truce he was proposing should last.

Independent

He was proposing himself as a transformative figure, the man who would spring the lock.

The New Yorker

He meant, in part, the death penalty, which he was proposing for certain federal crimes.

The New Yorker

I was skeptical, since he was proposing $10,000 worth of repairs.

The New York Times - Health

He was proposing to help capitalists turn New York City's waste paper into newsprint.

The New York Times

He meant, in part, the death penalty, which he was proposing for certain federal crimes..

The New Yorker

He was proposing them as punitive measures against all Muslims, guilty or innocent.

The Guardian - Opinion

He seemed to have no clue he was proposing the dilution of his product.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was proposing", ensure the context clearly indicates what idea, plan, or action was being suggested to avoid ambiguity. Provide specific details or follow-up sentences to clarify the proposal.

Common error

Avoid vague statements when using "he was proposing". Always specify what he was proposing to ensure the reader understands the suggestion fully. For example, instead of saying "He was proposing something interesting", state "He was proposing a new marketing strategy to target younger demographics".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was proposing" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a past continuous action of suggesting or putting forward an idea or plan. As Ludwig indicates, it's a grammatically correct way to describe someone's suggestion in the past. The examples from Ludwig show it used in varied contexts, all maintaining this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was proposing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for describing someone's past action of suggesting an idea or plan. As Ludwig confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, especially in News & Media. When using "he was proposing", make sure the context is clear about what was being suggested. The phrase has a neutral register and is suitable for professional communication, although more formal or informal alternatives may be appropriate depending on the situation. Overall, it's a reliable way to report someone's past proposal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he suggested

This alternative is more direct and less formal.

he recommended

This alternative implies a degree of expertise or authority.

he put forward

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of presenting an idea.

he advanced

This alternative suggests moving something forward for consideration.

he advocated

This alternative implies strong support for the idea.

he outlined

This alternative focuses on providing a summary or plan.

he offered

This alternative indicates a willingness to provide something.

he introduced

This alternative emphasizes the initial presentation of an idea.

he intended to propose

This alternative suggests a future action of proposing.

he contemplated suggesting

This alternative indicates that suggesting an idea was under consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "he was proposing" in a sentence?

Use "he was proposing" to describe someone suggesting a plan or idea, like "He was proposing a new budget to address the financial issues".

What are some alternatives to "he was proposing"?

You can use alternatives like "he suggested", "he recommended", or "he put forward", depending on the context.

Is "he was proposing" formal or informal?

"He was proposing" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. For more informal situations, consider using "he suggested". For more formal situations, consider using "he put forward".

What's the difference between "he was proposing" and "he proposed"?

"He was proposing" indicates an ongoing action in the past, while "he proposed" indicates a completed action in the past. For example, "He was proposing a solution during the meeting" suggests the proposal happened over a period of time, while "He proposed a solution at the meeting" suggests it was a single action.