propose doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"propose doing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are giving a suggestion or an idea to someone. For example, "I propose doing a potluck for this weekend's celebration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Some American officials propose doing exactly that.

The New York Times

The President will propose doing more.

The New York Times

"What do you propose doing about it?" much harder.

The Guardian - Opinion

So what does he propose doing to create jobs?

The New York Times

So what does the Fed propose doing about the situation?

The New York Times

It would also take a bold government to propose doing so.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Those variables are accurately identified, but somehow the equations these movies propose do not quite balance.

The New York Times

This power to "oppose" and to "propose" does not exist in other European countries.

The New York Times

The cuts I propose do not have to be painful.

Huffington Post

And even when the company has proposed doing something, its proposals have been strikingly ethereal.

Huffington Post

He proposes doing this through genetic engineering.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "propose doing", ensure the action is clearly defined and aligns with the overall context of the sentence. For example, "We propose doing a thorough market analysis before launching the new product."

Common error

Avoid using "propose doing" without a clear object or action. For example, instead of saying "I propose doing something about it", specify the action: "I propose doing a community cleanup project to address the issue."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "propose doing" functions as a gerund phrase, where "propose" acts as a verb introducing a suggested action, and "doing" represents that action in its gerund form. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

28%

Academia

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "propose doing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for suggesting a course of action. As highlighted by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When writing, ensure the action following "propose doing" is clear and specific. Ludwig AI notes that while the phrase is correct, it's beneficial to use it in contexts where a clear recommendation or suggestion is intended. Remember to avoid vagueness and consider using alternatives like "suggest undertaking" or "recommend carrying out" for variety and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggest undertaking

Replaces "propose" with "suggest" and "doing" with "undertaking", formalizing the tone slightly.

recommend carrying out

Substitutes "propose" with "recommend" and "doing" with "carrying out", suggesting a more authoritative stance.

advocate performing

Uses "advocate" instead of "propose" and "performing" instead of "doing", indicating a strong support for the action.

intend to execute

Replaces "propose doing" with "intend to execute", focusing on the planned implementation.

plan on implementing

Similar to "intend to execute", but with a less formal tone.

consider undertaking

Suggests a more tentative suggestion, using "consider" instead of "propose".

think about initiating

Expresses a preliminary stage of consideration before a formal proposal.

contemplate performing

Similar to "think about initiating" but with a more thoughtful and reflective tone.

put forward the idea of doing

Emphasizes the introduction of an idea for consideration.

float the notion of undertaking

Introduces a concept in a less committal and more exploratory manner.

FAQs

How to use "propose doing" in a sentence?

You can use "propose doing" to suggest an action or a plan. For instance, "The committee members propose doing a survey to gather feedback." You can replace it with phrases like "suggest undertaking" or "recommend carrying out".

What can I say instead of "propose doing"?

Alternatives to "propose doing" include "suggest undertaking", "recommend carrying out", and "advocate performing". The best choice depends on the context and the level of formality required.

Which is correct, "propose doing" or "propose to do"?

Both "propose doing" and "propose to do" can be correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Propose doing" emphasizes the action itself, while "propose to do" emphasizes the intention. For example, "I propose doing research" versus "I propose to research the issue."

What's the difference between "propose doing" and "suggest doing"?

"Propose doing" and "suggest doing" are similar, but "propose" often implies a more formal or official recommendation, while "suggest" is generally more informal. You could "propose doing" a formal study, or "suggest doing" something informally.