proposing to

USAGE SUMMARY

"proposing to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used when talking about suggesting or putting forward an idea or plan to someone. Example: I am proposing to create a new department within the company to focus on sustainability efforts.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others are proposing to do so.

The New York Times

Google is proposing to have three classes of stock.

The New York Times

The snack that Dunn was proposing to sell: carrots.

The New York Times - Magazine

Before long, Vito's making speeches and proposing to his fiancée.

Independent

Çağan was proposing to build Turkey's first transborder wildlife corridor.

The New Yorker

He also began thinking about proposing to Ms. Jonas.

The New York Times

"But we are not proposing to ban bleach".

Independent

Congress is proposing to chop American aid by a fifth.

The Economist

What are policy makers proposing to do about it?

The New York Times

But what is Dr Lin proposing to do about it?

The Economist

Now the commission is proposing to tighten the directive further.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proposing to" when you want to express a formal suggestion or plan you are putting forward for consideration. It's suitable for both business and personal contexts.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "proposing to" with "supposing to". "Proposing to" means suggesting a plan, while "supposed to" indicates an obligation or expectation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proposing to" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of suggesting or presenting a plan or idea for consideration. It typically precedes an infinitive verb, specifying the action being proposed, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

7%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "proposing to" is a very common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to introduce a suggestion, plan, or intention. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, with a neutral register and predominant use in news and media. While straightforward, remember to avoid confusion with similar-sounding phrases like "supposed to". When writing, ensure that your use of "proposing to" clearly conveys the action or plan you are putting forward for consideration. For more formal tones "intends to" may be an equivalent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intends to

Indicates a firm decision or resolve to perform a specific action.

intending to

Focuses on the intention or aim, rather than the act of suggesting or putting forward a plan.

planning to

Emphasizes the planning stage of an action, suggesting a degree of preparation.

aiming to

Highlights the goal or objective that someone is trying to achieve.

suggesting that

Shifts the focus to the act of offering an idea or recommendation.

putting forward

Implies a more formal presentation of a plan or proposal.

recommending to

Suggests advising or advocating a certain course of action to someone.

contemplating

Indicates thoughtful consideration or pondering before taking action.

considering

Implies a deliberate evaluation of different options or possibilities.

thinking about

Describes a less formal and more casual reflection on a potential action.

FAQs

How can I use "proposing to" in a sentence?

Use "proposing to" to introduce a suggestion or plan. For example, "I am proposing to implement a new marketing strategy next quarter."

What are some alternatives to "proposing to"?

You can use alternatives like "intending to", "planning to", or "suggesting that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I propose to" instead of "I am proposing to"?

Both are correct, but "I am proposing to" is more common in contemporary usage, while "I propose to" sounds slightly more formal or archaic.

What is the difference between "proposing to" and "suggesting to"?

"Proposing to" often implies a more formal or structured plan, whereas "suggesting to" is generally a more casual or initial idea. For example, you might "propose to" the board of directors a new budget, but "suggest to" your colleague a new marketing campaign.