to devise a proposal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to devise a proposal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of creating or formulating a plan or suggestion, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "The team met to devise a proposal for the new marketing strategy that would increase brand awareness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mr. Bloomberg is embracing the idea, appointing a second charter commission to devise a proposal for the public's consideration.

The New York Times

However, to devise a proposal that seeks out compromise and bridges the partisan divide, something that could actually become law and maybe solve some of our problems — that would be real genius and a true test of courage.

The New York Times

Mr. Bush said he would form a White House task force to devise a proposal that relies on private insurance plans, a government plan and H.M.O.'s to cover all the elderly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Mr. Pataki, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Joseph Bruno, the Senate majority leader, have tossed the issue to a new task force to devise a legislative proposal.

The New York Times

The governor, the Senate majority leader, Joseph L. Bruno, and Sheldon Silver, the Assembly speaker, said they were creating a task force to devise a legislative proposal.

The New York Times

The report urged county officials to devise a sound proposal by the end of the month or face a state takeover.

The New York Times

But her frustration also seemed directed at the inability of the United Nations, the Arab League or any other group to devise a workable proposal to help resolve the crisis in Syria, now nearly a year old.

The New York Times

Five days later he named Mrs. Clinton to lead a task force that was supposed to devise a detailed proposal to control health costs and guarantee health insurance for all Americans.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — House Republican leaders struggled on Tuesday to devise a new proposal to reopen the government and alter parts of the president's health care law after a plan presented behind closed doors to the Republican rank and file failed to attract enough support immediately to pass.

The New York Times

Then you need to devise a business proposal.

Forbes

With the collapse of talks between the government and Microsoft, the Justice Department and the 19 state attorneys general who brought the antitrust case must now cooperate to devise a single remedy proposal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to devise a proposal", ensure that the context clearly indicates the purpose or goal the proposal aims to achieve. This adds clarity and relevance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "to devise a proposal" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase carries a formal tone, so opt for simpler alternatives like "to come up with a plan" or "to create an idea" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to devise a proposal" functions as an infinitive phrase, often serving as an adjunct to a verb or noun. It describes the action of creating or formulating a formal suggestion or plan. Ludwig shows that the phrase indicates intent or purpose.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to devise a proposal" is a grammatically correct and formal expression used to describe the act of creating or formulating a plan. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts, suggesting a preference for professional or academic settings. While relatively uncommon, the phrase effectively conveys intent and strategic planning. When using "to devise a proposal", it's best to ensure the context aligns with its formal tone, opting for simpler alternatives in casual settings. Common related phrases include "to formulate a plan" and "to create a suggestion".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to formulate a plan

Replaces "devise" with "formulate" and "proposal" with "plan", keeping the core meaning intact.

to create a suggestion

Substitutes "devise" with "create" and "proposal" with "suggestion", offering a slightly less formal tone.

to develop a scheme

Replaces "devise" with "develop" and "proposal" with "scheme", implying a more detailed plan.

to craft a recommendation

Substitutes "devise" with "craft" and "proposal" with "recommendation", suggesting a carefully constructed suggestion.

to draft a proposition

Replaces "devise" with "draft" and "proposal" with "proposition", indicating a formal offer.

to originate an idea

Substitutes the whole phrase with a more generic expression, referring to the act of being the originator of an idea.

to generate a concept

Similar to originate, but referring to the act of creating a concept.

to produce an outline

Focuses on creating a preliminary version or summary of a plan.

to put forward a design

Emphasizes the presentation of a preliminary plan.

to construct a strategy

Indicates the creation of a detailed and purposeful course of action.

FAQs

How can I use "to devise a proposal" in a sentence?

You can use "to devise a proposal" to describe the process of creating a plan or suggestion, often in a professional setting. For example, "The committee met to devise a proposal for the new project".

What's the difference between "to devise a proposal" and "to create a plan"?

"To devise a proposal" is more formal and often implies a written document with detailed suggestions. "To create a plan", on the other hand, is more general and can refer to any kind of organized approach or strategy.

What can I say instead of "to devise a proposal"?

You can use alternatives like "to formulate a plan", "to create a suggestion", or "to develop a scheme", depending on the context.

Is "to devise a proposal" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "to devise a proposal" is perfectly suitable for academic writing. It conveys a sense of careful planning and is appropriate for formal contexts such as research papers, grant applications, and project reports.