propose to her

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "propose to her" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is planning to ask a woman to marry them or to enter into a romantic commitment. Example: "After dating for three years, he finally decided it was time to propose to her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He is about to propose to her one day when he meets another woman he knows.

The New Yorker

She began to wonder if he would propose to her before they had kissed.

The New Yorker

The romance here isn't between Turing and Joan, although he does propose to her.

Independent

"I've known I wanted to propose to her for a while".

The New York Times - Sports

He tried to protest: he had a ring in his pocket, having planned to propose to her during the trip.

The Guardian - Books

She chose someone else as I was about to propose to her, and that broke my heart".

The New York Times - Arts

Another woman hired a manservant to propose to her at restaurant, just so she could reject him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And what would Georgie do if what she said changed Neals mind and he didn't propose to her that week later?

The Guardian

Shelly says that Maura tried to propose to her with it, and later Josh uses it to propose to his pregnant Glitterish girlfriend.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She and Kaoru had been dating for a year, and he planned to propose to her once he finished his law degree.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

When she got The Rock to fake-propose to her to "see what it would be like"?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider who is acting and who is receiving. A man proposes to a woman, but a woman can also propose to a man. Clarity about gender roles avoids confusion.

Common error

Avoid passive voice when describing the proposal. Instead of saying "She was proposed to", clearly state who initiated the proposal: "He decided to propose to her."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "propose to her" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used within a larger sentence structure. It describes the action of offering marriage to a woman. Ludwig shows the phrase being used across diverse sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "propose to her" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of asking a woman to marry someone. As indicated by Ludwig, it is most frequently used in news and media, as well as in general contexts like wiki entries. While traditionally associated with a male proposing to a female, its use has evolved to encompass any situation where a person offers marriage to a woman. Alternatives include "ask her to marry him" or "pop the question to her", depending on the desired level of formality. Remember to maintain clarity by specifying who is proposing and who is receiving the proposal. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the phrase and its wide applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask her to marry him

Focuses on the act of asking for marriage explicitly.

pop the question to her

An idiomatic expression for proposing marriage.

ask her to be his wife

Directly asks her to take on the role of wife.

make her an offer of marriage

Formal way of expressing the proposal.

seek her hand in marriage

A more traditional and formal way to propose.

get down on one knee for her

Describes the physical act of proposing.

intend to marry her

Expresses the intention to propose in the future.

plan to ask for her hand

Focuses on the planning stage of the proposal.

court her with marriage in mind

Highlights the courtship leading to a proposal.

give her a marriage proposal

Stresses the giving of the proposal itself.

FAQs

What is the best way to use "propose to her" in a sentence?

Use "propose to her" to describe a scenario where someone is asking a woman to marry them, such as, "After dating for five years, he decided to "propose to her" during their vacation."

What are some alternatives to saying "propose to her"?

You can use phrases like "ask her to marry him", "pop the question to her", or "seek her hand in marriage" depending on the formality and context.

Is it grammatically correct for a woman to "propose to her" boyfriend?

While traditionally men propose to women, it is perfectly acceptable and grammatically correct for a woman to "propose to her" boyfriend. Gender roles in proposals have evolved.

What's the difference between "propose to her" and "suggest to her"?

"Propose to her" specifically refers to asking someone to marry you. "Suggest to her" is a general phrase for offering an idea or course of action.