provided the idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provided the idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a condition or stipulation related to an idea being discussed or proposed. Example: "We can move forward with the project, provided the idea meets our budget constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

A.L. and M.S. provided the idea of Miura-ori folding.

Nature

R. Keeling first provided the idea for the noble-gas-based determination of mean ocean temperature.

Nature

The museum provided the idea, the financing and the performing space; the Y, the programming and the performers.

The New York Times - Arts

Dr. Rabi provided the idea from which Dr. Zacharias developed the first practical atomic clock in 1956, capable even then of keeping time for hundreds of years without gaining or losing more than a few seconds.

The New York Times

RXL and XWW provided the idea and drafted the manuscript.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Author JH provided the idea of this paper, carefully designed the framework, and drafts the manuscript.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

D.Z. provided the ideas of the peptides to be used.

Nature

HT provided the ideas and structure of the whole article and drafted the "Principle and History of Perovskite SCs" and "Intramolecular Exchange" sections.

Nanoscale Research Letters

EB did the phylogenetic analyses, provided the ideas and wrote the paper, ES implemented the heat map analyses and provided ideas, JL created the alphaproteobacterial dataset, DM implemented Lumbermill, RLC implemented Horizstory, WFD provided ideas.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Data and ideas arising from ADNI and the various collaborative meetings have provided the ideas and data behind the discussion in this article.

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

Smallville helped provide the idea that Merlin would see a "Camelot that existed before its golden age".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "provided the idea" when you want to credit someone with the initial thought or inspiration that led to a development, project, or study.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions when using "provided the idea". Instead of saying "The idea was provided by...", opt for the active voice: "[Name] provided the idea."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provided the idea" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. It indicates the act of contributing or originating a particular thought, concept, or plan. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provided the idea" is a grammatically correct phrase used to credit someone with originating a concept. Although relatively rare in general usage, it's most frequently found in scientific and news contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable and understood in written English. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the nature and scope of the idea being attributed, and avoid overusing passive voice constructions. Alternatives like "originated the concept" or "conceived the notion" can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

originated the concept

Focuses on the origin of the concept.

conceived the notion

Highlights the mental creation of an idea.

introduced the thought

Emphasizes the act of making an idea known.

suggested the plan

Implies offering an idea for a course of action.

proposed the theory

Specifically refers to suggesting a scientific or academic idea.

formulated the hypothesis

Highlights the formation of a testable statement.

came up with the concept

Emphasizes the generation of a new concept.

developed the framework

Focuses on creating a structured approach to an idea.

pioneered the approach

Indicates being the first to develop and use a particular idea.

advanced the proposition

Stresses the act of putting an idea forward for consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "provided the idea" in a sentence?

You can use "provided the idea" to credit someone for the origin of a concept, for example: "Dr. Smith "provided the idea" for this innovative research project".

What are some alternatives to "provided the idea"?

Some alternatives to "provided the idea" include "originated the concept", "conceived the notion", or "introduced the thought".

Is it better to say "provided the idea" or "came up with the idea"?

Both "provided the idea" and "came up with the idea" are correct, but "provided the idea" sounds slightly more formal. Choose the phrasing that best fits the tone of your writing.

What is the difference between "provided the idea" and "developed the idea"?

"Provided the idea" suggests originating the core concept, whereas "developed the idea" implies expanding upon an existing concept.