solutions on the table

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "solutions on the table" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to proposed solutions or options that are available for consideration in a discussion or negotiation. Example: "During the meeting, we discussed various challenges, and I presented several solutions on the table for the team to evaluate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It's time to put real solutions on the table.

The New York Times

The noisiest climate-change activists were predictably noisy and distraught, which missed the whole point that, whether they agree with what we're proposing or not, there are very few solutions on the table right now".

Independent

There were no easy solutions on the table when it came to the peso, but Macri felt transparency was the need of the hour.

Forbes

… GM protesters have been saying for over a decade that we don't want government research to be focused on GM technology when there are other solutions on the table that we could be researching, and nobody's listening".

Science Magazine

And there are no other viable solutions on the table.

Vice

He isolates himself from scientists who are far-sighted enough to leave all possible solutions on the table.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

They haven't put a credible solution on the table.

The New York Times

Cities are becoming unaffordable and, at the same time, there's no solution on the table to help with housing.

The Guardian

But my advice to writers working in Hollywood is to never go into a meeting without being ready to lay the solution on the table.

The Guardian

No surprise, then, to see Paul Ryan, in his debate with Joe Biden Thursday night, warning voters about his opponent: They haven't put a credible solution on the table.

The New Yorker

DAN MCGINN: So, she might be able to job craft it even if she can't really see that solution on the table in front of her.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "solutions on the table" when you want to indicate that there are various options being presented or considered for a particular problem or situation. It's best suited for discussions, negotiations, or strategic planning scenarios.

Common error

Avoid using "solutions on the table" in contexts where literal solutions are being physically presented (e.g., in a science experiment). The phrase is metaphorical and should be used to describe options, strategies or proposals, not actual physical objects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solutions on the table" functions as a noun phrase that metaphorically describes available options or proposals for addressing a problem or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "solutions on the table" is a useful phrase to describe available options or proposals for addressing a problem or situation. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and finds the phrase in common use in News and Media. While the phrase isn't overly formal, it's best suited for discussions, negotiations, or strategic planning, it is not appropriate for describing literal physical items. Consider alternatives like "proposed solutions" or "feasible alternatives" for different nuances. The phrase sees its dominant usage in news media but also in academia or business sources, suggesting a relatively neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

available solutions

Focuses on the availability of solutions, omitting the imagery of a "table".

proposed solutions

Highlights the act of proposing solutions, rather than their presence for consideration.

options under consideration

Emphasizes the act of considering different options, removing the solution aspect.

possible resolutions

Uses "resolutions" instead of "solutions", which might fit better in certain contexts.

potential answers

Replaces "solutions" with "answers", shifting the focus to finding answers to a problem.

feasible alternatives

Stresses the practicality and feasibility of the alternatives.

suggested approaches

Focuses on the approaches suggested, instead of the solutions themselves.

courses of action

Highlights the action-oriented aspect of solutions.

remedial measures

Emphasizes corrective actions to remedy a problem.

actionable items

Highlights solutions that are ready to be acted upon.

FAQs

How can I use "solutions on the table" in a sentence?

You can use "solutions on the table" to indicate available options for consideration, for example: "During the negotiation, we presented several "solutions on the table" for resolving the conflict".

What's a more formal way to say "solutions on the table"?

In a more formal context, you could use phrases like "proposed solutions" or "options under consideration" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "solutions on the table" appropriate for academic writing?

While acceptable, "solutions on the table" might be considered slightly informal for academic writing. Alternatives such as "potential resolutions" or "feasible alternatives" could be more suitable.

What's the difference between "solutions on the table" and "alternatives available"?

"Solutions on the table" implies that solutions are being actively presented and considered, while "alternatives available" simply suggests that there are options to choose from, without necessarily implying active discussion or presentation.