offers marriage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "offers marriage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a proposal or intention to marry someone. Example: "After years of dating, he finally offers marriage to his long-time girlfriend during a romantic dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

National Organisation for Marriage offers "marriage talking points" that same-sex marriage opponents should marshall.

The Guardian

Pamela faints, and, when she recovers, Mr. B claims "that he had not offer'd the least Indecency"; he soon afterward offers marriage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This being Vegas, the landmark offers "marriage proposal amenities, giving you the chance to ask for her hand in a semi-private area of the Eiffel Tower".

The New York Times

The unpleasant sisters who run the school to which Emma is first sent provide a perfect target, as does the sanctimonious clergyman who enslaves Emma as a housekeeper and offers marriage as a way of saving on her wages.

The New York Times - Books

The hero's louche escapades are often hilarious: one scene in which he tries to seduce a piece of posh totty while being enthusiastically fellated by his latest pick-up neatly matches the moment in Molière where Don Juan offers marriage to two women at once.

The Guardian

And "to have the voters think I was a good fellow and ignore all the testimony they paid me to listen to?" The groundbreaking bill, which offers marriage benefits for gay couples, gained final approval in the Vermont Senate today in a 19-to-11 19-to-11 19-to-11

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

At Marriage Care, we offer marriage preparation classes.

The Guardian

The clerics offered marriage counseling, but only if the husband came too, a condition she knew doomed the idea.

The New York Times

To rewrite Ms. Dohrenwend's final paragraph: Religious bodies would offer marriage of equal validity to all couples, and without intrusion from the government.

The New York Times

So when the window opened at the Mobile courthouse and offered marriage licenses to gay couples for the first time, Povilat and Persinger were the first in line.

The Guardian

Almost from the moment Massachusetts became the first state to offer marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004, mainstream businesses have tried to find a way to attract customers from this new, lucrative market.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "offers marriage" when you want to describe a formal proposal or suggestion of marriage, particularly in narrative or descriptive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "offers marriage" when you simply mean someone is providing assistance related to a wedding. The phrase specifically refers to the act of proposing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "offers marriage" functions as a verb phrase, where "offers" acts as the verb and "marriage" as the direct object. It describes the act of presenting or suggesting the possibility of entering into matrimony. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "offers marriage" is a grammatically sound and acceptably frequent expression used to describe the act of proposing or suggesting marriage. According to Ludwig, its usage is correct and verifiable across a range of authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While synonyms like "proposes marriage" are more common, "offers marriage" adds a degree of formality and narrative detail suitable for literary, historical, and descriptive contexts. Remember that the phrase specifically relates to the act of proposing and should not be confused with offering general wedding-related assistance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proposes marriage

Replaces "offers" with the more direct verb "proposes".

suggests marriage

Replaces "offers" with "suggests", indicating a less forceful proposal.

extends a marriage proposal

Uses a more formal tone to describe the act of proposing.

makes a marriage proposal

Uses the verb "makes" to describe the act of proposing.

asks for marriage

Focuses on the act of asking, which is a key part of offering marriage.

seeks marriage

Highlights the desire for marriage, implying an offer.

broaches the subject of marriage

Indicates introducing the topic of marriage, potentially leading to an offer.

raises the possibility of marriage

Similar to 'broaches the subject', but emphasizes the potential outcome.

expresses a wish to marry

Focuses on expressing a desire for marriage.

volunteers to marry

Implies a willingness to enter marriage.

FAQs

What is the difference between "offers marriage" and "proposes marriage"?

"Offers marriage" is a slightly more formal and descriptive way of saying "proposes marriage". The latter is more direct and common in everyday language.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "offers marriage"?

It is appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize the act of proposing or suggesting marriage, especially in literature, historical accounts, or formal settings.

Are there any synonyms for "offers marriage"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "extends a marriage proposal", "suggests marriage", or "makes a marriage proposal" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "offers marriage" grammatically correct?

Yes, "offers marriage" is grammatically correct. It's a valid phrase that's used to describe the act of proposing or suggesting marriage.