made a motion to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made a motion to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal settings, such as meetings or legislative contexts, to indicate that someone is proposing a specific action or decision for consideration. Example: "During the meeting, she made a motion to approve the budget for the upcoming year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Asher made a motion to dismiss.

The New Yorker

In 2005, the two podiatrists made a motion to withdraw their guilty pleas, which Wood denied.

The New Yorker

Once, one of the boys made a motion to get a puppy.

The New Yorker

Mr. Prince made a motion to reduce the fine to $4.00".

The New York Times

Liberals made a motion to table and thus kill the bill.

The New York Times - Books

Finally, I recognized a committee member who made a motion to bring up the bill.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

He said that if the motion passed, he would then make a motion to remove Mr. Silver.

The New York Times

In a minute, the D.A. will make a motion to dismiss the charge against you, and that will be that".

The New Yorker

"Somebody has got to get on this case and make a motion to get the thing rescheduled," he said.

The New York Times

"We're going to make a motion to set aside the verdict," said Paul Gianelli, one of Mr. White's lawyers.

The New York Times

To get to that vote, Democrats will make a motion to "order the previous question," which is basically a call for a final vote on the rule.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by specifying the exact action being proposed in the motion. For example: "She made a motion to approve the budget for the upcoming year".

Common error

Avoid using "made a motion to" in informal conversations or settings where formal procedures are not required. Instead, opt for simpler alternatives like "suggested" or "proposed".

Linguistic Context

"Made a motion to" serves as a performative utterance, indicating the act of formally proposing something for consideration in a meeting or legal setting. Ludwig AI shows examples in news, legal and formal contexts, reflecting its use in structured decision-making processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made a motion to" is a formal expression used to propose an action or decision in structured settings like meetings or legal proceedings. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in contexts such as news reports and formal discussions. For less formal scenarios, alternatives like "suggested" or "proposed" are more appropriate. Understanding the specific context helps ensure the correct and effective use of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moved to consider

A more concise way of indicating a proposal for consideration.

proposed a resolution to

Replaces "motion" with "resolution" and uses "proposed" instead of "made a motion".

submitted a proposal for

Focuses on the act of submitting a formal proposal.

tabled a suggestion to

Uses "tabled" and "suggestion" offering a slightly less formal tone.

put forward a recommendation for

Emphasizes the act of recommending something for consideration.

introduced a bill to

Specific to legislative contexts, where a bill is being introduced.

advanced a claim to

Suggests putting forth a specific claim or argument.

lodged a request to

Emphasizes the formal submission of a request.

set forth a plan for

Focuses on the presentation of a detailed plan.

offered an amendment to

Specifically suggests changing or modifying an existing proposal.

FAQs

How is "made a motion to" typically used in formal settings?

In formal settings, "made a motion to" is used to introduce a specific proposal or action for consideration by a group or committee. It's a way to initiate a formal decision-making process.

What's a simpler alternative to "made a motion to" in less formal contexts?

In less formal situations, you can use alternatives such as "proposed", "suggested", or "recommended" to convey a similar meaning without the formality.

When is it appropriate to use "made a motion to" instead of just saying "I suggest"?

"Made a motion to" is appropriate when you are participating in a structured meeting or formal proceeding where decisions are made through motions and voting. In contrast, "I suggest" is suitable for informal discussions.

Is there a difference between "made a motion to approve" and "moved to approve"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable, but "moved to approve" is slightly more concise. Both are used in formal settings to propose approval of something.