odd proposition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "odd proposition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a suggestion or idea that seems unusual or strange. Example: "The idea of living on Mars is an odd proposition, but scientists are exploring its possibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A show of Giacometti's portrait sculptures is an odd proposition.

The Guardian - Arts

You start with an odd proposition and then it snowballs into an argument".

The New York Times

All of which makes it an odd proposition in contemporary Britain.

The Guardian

Not only was a conventional campaign strategy a losing one, but it also presented an odd proposition: a young Latino candidate would be forced to ignore his own peers.

The New York Times

It is an odd proposition considering that Smith could be a lame-duck coach, especially because this is the third offensive coordinator Smith will hire in seven seasons with the Bears.

The New York Times

It's an odd proposition, and ultimately one that will likely be searching to find its audience for a generation or two.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Now in my dotage I try to remember there are better things to be outraged by than dodgy sounding remakes, but this does seem an especially rum proposition – directed by the declining Ridley Scott and, odder still, relocated to Pennsylvania.

The Guardian - Film

To wit: in a joint press release with Condé Nast, the company is offering two odd consumer-facing propositions.

TechCrunch

Per California law, no matter unlikely or odd a proposed ballot proposition is the Secretary of State and the Legislative Analysts Office release a report to voters on a bill's potential economic impacts [PDF].

TechCrunch

After these preparations we can prove Theorem 33 for odd d as summarized in the following proposition: Proposition 63 Consider a fermionic system with d ≥ 5 odd modes and the Hamiltonian h o of Theorem  33.

EPJ Quantum Technology

Let us observe that in the case when is odd from Theorem 3.2 and Proposition 2.1 it follows that we can also take which is a decreasing homeomorphism such that (3.14) holds true and (3.16).

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "odd proposition", ensure the context clearly indicates why the proposition is considered unusual. Provide specific reasons or details to clarify the oddity.

Common error

Avoid using "odd proposition" when you simply mean 'difficult problem'. "Odd proposition" implies something strange or peculiar, not necessarily challenging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "odd proposition" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "odd" modifies the noun "proposition". This combination describes a suggestion, idea, or statement characterized by its unusual or peculiar nature. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing strategies or philosophical arguments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "odd proposition" is a phrase used to describe an idea or suggestion that is unusual or strange. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct. While not exceedingly common, it finds its place in various contexts, notably in News & Media and scientific discussions. The phrase implies a judgment on the peculiar nature of the proposition, inviting closer inspection or skepticism. When using "odd proposition", ensure the context clarifies the reason for its perceived oddity to prevent misinterpretations. Alternatives like ""strange idea"" or ""peculiar concept"" can be used depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strange idea

Replaces "proposition" with "idea", focusing on the conceptual aspect that is unusual.

unusual suggestion

Emphasizes the unexpected or atypical nature of the suggestion being made.

peculiar concept

Highlights the strangeness or distinctiveness of the concept involved.

curious proposal

Focuses on the intriguing or questionable nature of the proposal.

bizarre scheme

Indicates a plan that is highly unconventional and possibly outlandish.

unconventional approach

Highlights a method that deviates from the norm.

offbeat notion

Suggests an idea that is quirky and eccentric.

eccentric plan

Implies that the plan is peculiar and deviates from conventional methods.

weird concept

Directly describes the concept as strange or inexplicable.

dubious argument

Suggests that the argument is questionable and potentially flawed.

FAQs

What does "odd proposition" mean?

The phrase "odd proposition" refers to a suggestion, idea, or statement that is strange, unusual, or unexpected. It implies that something is peculiar or out of the ordinary.

How can I use "odd proposition" in a sentence?

You can use "odd proposition" to describe anything from a business strategy to a philosophical argument that seems strange or unconventional. For example: "Presenting a merger during a financial crisis is an "unusual suggestion"."

What are some alternatives to "odd proposition"?

Alternatives to "odd proposition" include "strange idea", "peculiar concept", or "curious proposal". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a odd proposition" instead of "an odd proposition"?

No, it is not correct. The correct phrasing is "an odd proposition" because "odd" starts with a vowel sound, and the article "an" is used before vowel sounds.