propose to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "propose to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting an idea, plan, or course of action to someone, often in a formal context. Example: "I would like to propose to the committee that we allocate more resources to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We propose to create it".

The New Yorker

Women propose to him.

The New York Times

Will Mr. Ellner now propose to someone?

The New York Times

How would you propose to fix this?

The New York Times

How do you propose to do it?

The New York Times

But, second, they propose to put the pledges into law.

The Guardian - Opinion

Let me propose to you a Unified Theory of Love!

The New York Times

How exactly does he propose to do it?

The New York Times

How does Labour propose to plug this gap?

The Guardian - Opinion

They now propose to reduce that by a further 2p.

The Guardian - Business

We propose to start a national park in our highlands.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "propose to" when you want to formally introduce a plan or suggestion. It's suitable for professional settings, academic papers, or news reports.

Common error

Avoid using "propose to" in informal conversations or casual writing. Alternatives like "suggest" or "plan to" are more appropriate in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "propose to" primarily functions as a verb phrase introducing a suggested action or plan. It often precedes an infinitive verb, as seen in the Ludwig examples such as "propose to start" or "propose to do". The phrase explicitly indicates the intention to undertake the action described by the infinitive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "propose to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for formally introducing a plan, suggestion, or intended action. As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary function is to convey intent or suggestion. It is most commonly found in news and media, scientific writing, and formal business contexts. While versatile, its formal tone makes it less suitable for casual conversation. When aiming for a less formal tone, consider alternatives such as "suggest to" or "plan to". Remember to reserve "propose to" for settings where formality and precision are valued.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggest to

This alternative offers a less formal way to introduce an idea or plan.

recommend to

This implies a degree of endorsement or expertise when putting forward a suggestion.

intend to

Focuses on the speaker's or actor's planned action or purpose.

plan to

Similar to "intend to" but can emphasize the planning stage more explicitly.

aim to

Suggests a goal-oriented approach, focusing on achieving a specific outcome.

put forward to

Implies formally presenting an idea or proposal for consideration.

table to

Suggests formally presenting an idea or proposal to a formal setting.

advance to

Implies to make a suggestion that forwards/advances a certain plan.

submit to

Conveys the act of formally presenting a proposal or document for approval or consideration.

offer to

This alternative suggests presenting something for acceptance or rejection.

FAQs

What does "propose to" mean?

The phrase "propose to" means to suggest a plan or course of action. It's often used in formal contexts to present ideas or intentions.

What can I say instead of "propose to"?

You can use alternatives like "suggest to", "recommend to", "intend to", or "plan to" depending on the context.

Is "propose to" formal or informal?

"Propose to" is generally considered a formal phrase. It's more suitable for professional or academic writing than casual conversation.

How do I use "propose to" in a sentence?

You can use "propose to" to introduce a suggestion, plan, or action. For example, "I "propose to" allocate more resources to this project".