put forward the idea

USAGE SUMMARY

"put forward the idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest a proposal or concept. For example: "I put forward the idea of introducing a new recycling program in our school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A few even put forward the idea of independence.

Independent

In another post, my colleague put forward the idea of random-citizen government.

The Economist

"We want to put forward the idea that everything is going to be O.K.," he said.

The New York Times

He decided to put forward the idea that gay people should have a constitutional right to get married.

The New Yorker

He also put forward the idea of creating a "sectoral" ballistic-missile defense, with participants assuming responsibility for specific areas.

The New York Times

In this work Tory put forward the idea of accents, the apostrophe, the cedilla, and simple punctuation marks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cradle-to-Cradle® in particular has put forward the idea of buildings as material banks, radically altering the way material flows need to be managed.

Energy Procedia

This approach has been championed by Erik Verlinde at the University of Amsterdam who put forward the idea in 2010.

MIT Technology Review

He also put forward the idea of an ombudsman to represent consumers in disputes with internet service providers (ISPs).

The Guardian - Tech

A slightly more personal suggestion came from one Sandeep Korotana, who modestly put forward the idea of RRS Sandeep Korotana.

The Guardian

It is against this dangerous backdrop that the newly elected Barack Obama put forward the idea of a "reset" of bilateral relations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the context. While generally acceptable, "put forward the idea" might be replaced with more formal alternatives like "posit the theory" in academic settings or informal options like "float the possibility" in casual conversations.

Common error

Avoid using "put forward the idea" without clearly identifying the originator. Failing to do so can lead to confusion about who deserves credit for the concept.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put forward the idea" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of proposing or suggesting a concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It indicates the presentation of a thought or suggestion for consideration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put forward the idea" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of suggesting or proposing a concept. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely used across numerous contexts, especially in news, science, and academic writing. While generally neutral in tone, consider adjusting the phrasing based on the formality of the setting, opting for alternatives like "propose the concept" or "float the possibility" as appropriate. Always clearly identify the originator of the idea to avoid misattribution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

propose the concept

Replaces "put forward" with "propose", maintaining the sense of offering an idea for consideration.

suggest the notion

Substitutes "put forward" with "suggest" and "idea" with "notion", slightly softening the strength of the proposal.

introduce the concept

Focuses on the act of bringing an idea to attention for the first time.

advance the proposal

Emphasizes the active promotion of a suggestion.

table the suggestion

Presents the idea for discussion, often in a formal setting.

posit the theory

Implies a more formal or academic presentation of a concept.

float the possibility

Suggests testing the waters with an idea before fully committing to it.

present the thought

Offers a reflection or consideration.

offer the view

Expresses a perspective or opinion.

articulate the vision

Focuses on expressing a comprehensive and forward-looking idea.

FAQs

What does "put forward the idea" mean?

To "put forward the idea" means to propose, suggest, or present an idea for consideration. It implies introducing a new concept or suggestion to a group or individual.

How can I use "put forward the idea" in a sentence?

You can use "put forward the idea" in a sentence like this: "The committee "put forward the idea" of implementing a new policy to address the issue." It should be used when you are stating that someone suggested an idea.

What are some alternatives to "put forward the idea"?

Some alternatives to "put forward the idea" include "propose the concept", "suggest the notion", or "introduce the concept". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality.

Is "put forward the idea" formal or informal?

"Put forward the idea" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal or academic writing, you might consider more precise alternatives such as "posit the theory".