proposition

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'proposition' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to either a proposal, suggestion, or an offer. For example: My boss made me an attractive proposition to move to a different department.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Insurers work on the basis that having an accident indicates that you are a risk proposition," Pratt says.

The Guardian - Money

A nation conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal, enslaved millions of people.

The Guardian - Tech

Amazon clearly considers The New Yorker Presents a similarly blue-chip proposition.

The Guardian

Now, you may be expecting us at this point (otherwise known as the Debunking Paragraph, in which we refute the proposition of the introduction – in this case that the band need to be amazing and great to match the ambition suggested by their name) to announce that Spector don't live up to their own self-hype.

The Guardian - Music

From this reference, we can deduce that the OLC authored a separate drone memo assessing – and dispensing with – the proposition that an American citizen had the right not to be deprived of his life without some form of judicial process.

The Guardian - Opinion

A poll conducted in mid-September by Rice University in Houston found 45% of likely voters supported the referendum proposition, with 35% opposing it and nearly 20% still undecided.

The Guardian

Mayberry's words often make Chvrches seem like an uncommercial proposition.

The Guardian - Music

Hence the European Union's recent emphasis on revising the rules around data protection, and on our so-called right to be forgotten – a proposition that raises important questions: what counts as personal data in the first place, where burdens of proof and administrative effort will lie, and how amenable present business models are to such a notion in the first place.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the question of same-sex marriage, it's also a losing proposition.

The Guardian - Opinion

So, in a sense, they were, but they were not dealing with a business proposition - they were concerned with murder, with the incalculable loss of blameless life".

The Guardian

During the filming of the followup, Marnie, Hedren claimed that he also "made an overt sexual proposition", and when she resisted "became threatening", saying he would ruin her career.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proposition" when you want to present a formal suggestion, plan, or offer, especially in business or academic contexts. It conveys a sense of considered thought and formality.

Common error

While "proposition" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In less formal settings, consider using words like "idea", "suggestion", or "offer" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proposition" functions primarily as a noun, representing a statement or assertion that expresses a judgment or opinion. It can also function as a verb, referring to the act of suggesting something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "proposition" is a versatile term used to describe a statement, suggestion, or offer, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It commonly appears in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific discussions, indicating its broad applicability across various contexts. While grammatically sound, it’s important to consider the level of formality required for your writing; in more informal settings, alternatives like "idea" or "suggestion" may be more appropriate. When aiming for precision and conveying considered thought, "proposition" remains a strong and suitable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proposal

Direct synonym replacing "proposition" with a focus on suggesting a plan or course of action.

suggestion

Emphasizes the act of putting forward an idea for consideration.

offer

Highlights the act of presenting something for acceptance or rejection.

scheme

Implies a structured or systematic plan, sometimes with a hint of complexity.

plan

A detailed formulation of what needs to be done.

motion

Formal proposal or suggestion made in a meeting or debate.

submission

Focuses on formally presenting a document or plan for consideration.

recommendation

Suggests advocating a specific course of action or decision.

argument

A reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong.

thesis

A statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved.

FAQs

How to use "proposition" in a sentence?

Use "proposition" to introduce a formal suggestion or idea. For example, "The company presented a new business proposition to the board."

What can I say instead of "proposition"?

You can use alternatives like "proposal", "suggestion", or "offer" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "proposition" or "proposal"?

Both "proposition" and "proposal" are correct and often interchangeable. "Proposition" can sometimes imply a more formal or complex idea, while "proposal" is generally broader. Consider using proposal for the more general case and "proposition" when you want to be more formal.

What's the difference between "proposition" and "hypothesis"?

"Proposition" refers to a statement or assertion offered for consideration, while "hypothesis" is a testable prediction based on limited evidence. A hypothesis is often used in scientific research, while a "proposition" can be a general idea.