put forward an idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put forward an idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has proposed an idea, whether formally or informally. For example: "The CEO put forward an idea to restructure the company to increase profitability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Exploiting the effects of quantum interference we put forward an idea of designing three primary logic gates, OR, AND and NOT, using a benzene molecule.

Physics Letters A

The goal of the studio is to put forward an idea of architecture where 'form' has a chance of agency within the housing domain.

Yale University

George Bizos and I put forward an idea for a conference about legal safeguards in South Africa which he might introduce.

The New York Times - Magazine

All this came back to me a few months ago when I was asked by the Gallery of Photography Ireland to put forward an idea for an exhibition.

The Guardian

I don't think there is any doubt that he has put forward an idea, but I don't think he is serious about it".

The Guardian

Greiner [11] put forward an idea to study the spectrum of A by perturbing boundary conditions.

Boundary Value Problems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Accordingly, this paper puts forward an idea for a linear theory approach to the nonlinear optimal feedback control.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

A researcher puts forward an idea in a thesis or a conference paper and then "defends" it.

The Guardian

Benjamin's talk puts forward an idea, and forewarns against, 'discriminatory design' -- that is, processes that are conceived of to serve people, yet do not include diverse perspectives in their planning and incubation.

Princeton University

Benjamin's talk puts forward an idea, and forewarns against, 'discriminatory design' — that is, processes that are conceived of to serve people, yet do not include diverse perspectives in their planning and incubation.

Princeton University

Last week, the Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren put forward an old idea: a wealth tax.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put forward an idea", ensure the context clearly indicates that the idea is being presented for consideration or discussion. Avoid using it when the idea is already accepted or implemented.

Common error

Avoid using "put forward an idea" in passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Always specify who is putting forward the idea to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put forward an idea" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe the action of presenting a thought, concept, or suggestion for consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, demonstrating its active role in communicating proposals across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put forward an idea" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe the action of presenting a concept or suggestion. Ludwig AI affirms its usability and broad applicability across varied contexts. Its frequency in news, scientific, and academic sources indicates its versatility in both formal and informal communication. While suitable for diverse registers, it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying who is putting forward the idea. Alternatives like "propose a concept" or "suggest an idea" can be used depending on the level of formality required. To avoid misinterpretations, avoid using "put forward an idea" in passive constructions where the actor is unclear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

propose a concept

Replaces the phrasal verb 'put forward' with the single verb 'propose' and uses 'concept' instead of 'idea'.

suggest an idea

Uses the verb 'suggest' which is a more general term for offering an idea.

offer a suggestion

Changes the structure to use 'offer' and 'suggestion' instead of 'put forward' and 'idea'.

introduce a proposal

Replaces 'idea' with 'proposal', implying a more formal suggestion.

present a thought

Uses 'present' and 'thought' as more generic synonyms.

advance a theory

Implies a more developed and structured idea.

table a motion

A more formal and parliamentary way of introducing an idea.

air an opinion

Focuses on expressing a viewpoint rather than a plan or suggestion.

float an idea

Implies testing the waters with a new idea to gauge reactions.

posit a hypothesis

A scientific and formal term for presenting a testable idea.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "put forward an idea" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can use phrases like "introduce a proposal", "advance a theory", or "posit a hypothesis" depending on the context.

What's a simpler way to say "put forward an idea"?

Simpler alternatives include "suggest an idea", "propose a concept", or "offer a suggestion".

When is it appropriate to use "put forward an idea"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that someone is presenting an idea for consideration, discussion, or debate. It suggests the idea is being offered as a potential solution or perspective.

Is there a difference between "put forward an idea" and "float an idea"?

"Put forward an idea" is a general way of presenting an idea. "Float an idea" implies testing the waters with a new idea to see how others react before fully committing to it.